SolarAid press release, no url: “At the 10th Annual Clinton Global Initiative, SolarAid commits to build an alliance to eradicate the kerosene lamp from Africa by 2020.”
“290 million people across Africa use toxic kerosene to light their homes. Kerosene contributes to the 400,000 deaths in sub-Saharan countries each year from indoor air pollution. SolarAid works to eradicate kerosene by creating markets for clean, safe solar lights; a simple technology that is revolutionising energy access. Given the choice, millions of African families are switching to low cost, solar alternatives.
“SolarAid’s work to build markets for solar lights is already turning off kerosene lamps across Africa. We ask everyone to join us to eradicate the kerosene lamp forever; to save money, to save lives and to bring a new era of clean energy access for all.” Andrew Webb, SolarAid, CEO.
“My kids are well they don’t get sick easily, they are healthy and this is due to the solar light that doesn’t produce toxic flames.” Charles Mukaya, solar light customer, Kenya.
Business model innovation: SolarAid’s success comes from its ‘smart-aid’ solution. The small, UK charity covers the cost of getting solar lights to rural areas where they are sold through its not-for-profit social enterprise, SunnyMoney. Selling lights creates sustainable markets and allows profits to be recycled. Its work is supported by local community leaders who profile the benefits of solar lights through peer-to-peer networks. SunnyMoney is now the leading distributor of solar lights in Africa.
SunnyMoney:
– Has sold over 1,322,000 solar lights
– Brought safe, solar energy to 6 million people
Is the largest distributor of solar lights in Africa, selling a solar light every 40 seconds.
Technology innovation: SunnyMoney Brains Innovation Unit is working to bring ‘pay-as-you-go’ solar lights to market to bring safe, solar technology to hundreds of millions more.
Building the alliance: SolarAid aims to make the solar light as prolific as the mobile phone and is calling for partners and donors to help eradicate the kerosene lamp by 2020. The charity will open source knowledge and offer training, capacity and programme development expertise to engage more NGOs, governments and donors in rural energy access.
Impact – with a solar light:
• An average family (household) saves $70 a year from reduced lighting costs
• 6 out of 10 customers notice better health of family members
• On average, children do an extra hour of homework each night
• Households reduce CO2 emissions by up to 300kg a year, as well as short-lived climate pollutants.
Key facts
• Nearly 600 million people in Africa have no access to electricity
• In sub-Saharan Africa, 91% of the rural population has no access to electricity
• Over 290 million people in Africa use kerosene as their main source of lighting
• More than one million people die every year from the effects of indoor air pollution
• In sub-Saharan Africa, indoor smoke causes around 400,000 deaths a year
• Inhaling the fumes from a kerosene lamp is the toxic equivalent to smoking 170 cigarettes a year
• A kerosene lamp emits over 2.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide per litre burned
• On average, $10.5 billion is spent a year on kerosene lighting in Africa, by families and businesses
• Families in rural Africa spend around 15% of their income on lighting (including kerosene, batteries and candles)
• It takes 12 weeks for payback of the average solar light (from reduced kerosene spending)
• Solar lights sold by SunnyMoney come with a guarantee and last between 3 – 5 years
Future Today
