Solar lighting with pay-as-you go technology

A pay-as-you-go lighting apparatus comprising:

• a lighting module configured to provide lighting to a customer when activated;
• a control system comprising a processor and a memory configured to enable the lighting apparatus when activated with usage credits, monitor usage of the lighting apparatus, track remaining usage credits, and disable the lighting apparatus when there are no remaining usage credits;
• and
• a battery for powering the lighting apparatus.

A method for providing lighting at a pay-as-you-go lighting apparatus comprising:

• registering a pay-as-you-go lighting apparatus to a user;
• obtaining energy credit information for the user and the lighting apparatus from a provider system;
• enabling the lighting apparatus to provide lighting in accordance with the energy credit information;
• and
• transferring usage information concerning the lighting apparatus to the provider system.

A method of managing pay-as-you-go lighting apparatuses, comprising:

• receiving a payment message associated with a user;
• encoding an audible message for a pay-as-you-go lighting apparatus;
• transmitting the encoded message to the user over a telephone network;
• and
• receiving an audible message from the pay-as-you-go lighting apparatus.