SolarAid is a leading international charity that provides access to clean, affordable solar lights.
Based in London and already working in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia we have set ourselves an ambitious goal: to eradicate the kerosene lamp from Africa by 2020.
One small light, one big idea
A solar lamp does more than shine a light. A solar lamp protects the environment and transforms lives.
598 million off-grid Africans have no access to electricity and many rely on toxic kerosene for lighting. These brutal lamps emit noxious black smoke and burn up to 20% of the household income - locking millions into poverty.
By contrast solar lights cost as little as $10, pay for themselves after 12 weeks and last for five years. Having free, clean light and not wasting money on kerosene transforms peoples’ chances in life.
We have taken on the challenge of getting these lights to the people that need them most and aim to get a clean light into every home in Africa by the end of the decade.
We are an international charity that combats both poverty and climate change with one simple piece of technology: the solar light.
91% of the rural population in Sub-Saharan Africa live without electricity. Annually, they spend around $4.4billion on expensive, dangerous, toxic kerosene – just for lighting. Burning kerosene contributes to indoor air pollution, causing respiratory disease, eye infections and often fatal accidents. It also has huge consequences for the environment with a single kerosene lamp emitting up to one tonne of carbon dioxide over five years.
“Energy is the thread that connects economic growth, increased social equity and sustainability. But, widespread energy poverty still condemns billions to darkness, ill health and missed opportunities for education and prosperity.” – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
The solution: Lighting up lives
Small hand-held solar lights offer a clean, affordable solution. Charged by the sun during the day to give out free light at night; these durable and reliable lamps have an extraordinary impact on peoples’ lives. Our early research shows that solar lights increase available income and improve health and education prospects.
Families no longer need to rely on kerosene, increasing money available to purchase essential food, agricultural equipment and funding their children’s education.
Children can use the extra hours of safe, clean light to study for a brighter future without putting their health at risk from dirty kerosene fumes.
Despite the name, SolarAid does not give ‘aid’ in the traditional sense of the word; we do something far more ground-breaking. We are driving forward a fair, sustainable market for solar technology through our social enterprise in Africa; making solar lights accessible to people living in the remotest corners of the continent.
This time last year we made a decision that would strengthen our entire approach. We decided to put research, measurement and impact at the forefront of our thinking – so we could learn from our findings and become a better, more efficient and effective organisation.
One year on and we’re excited to share with you all the amazing work we’ve been doing: our first ever Impact Report with loads of information on the difference your support has made.
We learned that by listening to our customers, taking on board their feedback and revising our approach accordingly we are able to maximise our impact. Our customer focussed approach determines which lights we sell and how best to inform the local population of the benefits of solar technology.
We were one of three finalists for a Best Practice Award in Research which we’re incredibly proud of. The Poverty reduction, Equity and Growth Network (PEGNet) has been recognising Best Practice in Research since 2009; find out more here.
The benefits of switching to solar
Money saved from solar is commonly spent on better food, education and farming inputs. On average solar lights save rural African families around $70 per year.
"[The solar light] is cheap. It just uses the sun. It’s been a year and I’ve saved. Life has become cheaper." Nixon Ketere in Kenya
On average children study for an extra hour each night after switching to solar and the improved light source is shown to increase motivation, attendance and performance at school.
“The number of students who go to secondary school has gone up and our school has got higher student attendance.” Patrick Nyerenda, teacher in Malawi
Black carbon (soot) emitted by kerosene lamps contributes more to climate change than all the CO₂ released in the UK during a whole year.
“replacing kerosene lamps is a low-hanging fruit. We don’t have many examples of that in the climate world.” Kirk R Smith, climate change expert
Inhaling the fumes from a kerosene lamp is the toxic equivalent to smoking 40 cigarettes a day.
“My children had bronchitis and when we switched from kerosene to solar lighting she no longer had the frequent attacks she had before.” Mabvuto Zulu in Zambia
A solar light brings people together and can help make people feel safe and secure in an otherwise dark rural environment
“A lot of things have changed [thanks to the solar light]; the house is brighter and the children are happy.” Weakness Mwenelupembe
While we’ve achieved a lot in our first year of monitoring and evaluating, we also know there is lots more we need to do. And you know what? We’re actually really excited about that! We’re going to be collecting more data, doing more focused studies and working with research institutions and partners to strengthen what we’re learning, how we’re reacting to it and how we’re communicating it.
Join us on our journey by following Kat Harrison our Social Impact & Research Manager on Twitter @Sunrise_Kat and checking out the Ray of Sunshine stories.
Don’t forget to come back and visit this page soon too because we’re going to be making this even better.
