SolarAid - Ending the Darkness
578 million people are having their days cut short living without electricity in sub-Saharan Africa. A small invention like a solar light can change that.
SolarAid’s mission is to light up every home, school and clinic in Africa by 2030, using safe, clean, solar power. Our mission at One Eighty Light, is to share the sunshine with 100 families in 2021 through our support of Solar Aid
Just as mobile phones have revolutionised communications across Africa, leapfrogging the need for landlines, picosolar lights (aka small solar lights) are now helping to bring light and power to millions of people across the continent.
While grid electrification is not going to reach most of rural sub-Saharan Africa in our lifetimes, the solar light revolution is taking place right now, helping light up millions of homes, which would otherwise be kept in the dark.
The concept is simple: Small solar panels, which can be as small as the palm of your hand, convert sunlight into electricity. This in turn charges small batteries, which are used to power efficient LED lights.
Small solar lights have a big impact. Not only do they represent the first step on the road to a cleaner, safer, renewable future, SolarAid research shows that this first step has a greater impact than any subsequent step ‘up the energy ladder.’ For the first time, families can stop using dangerous, polluting kerosene lamps and candles.
Today, the greatest challenge is to help get these solar lights to where they are needed most. We believe that no home, school or health clinic should be left in the dark.
Words & Photography
SolarAid / Photography / Peter Caton
