The Ashden Awards bring to light inspiring sustainable energy solutions in the UK and developing world and help ensure that they are spread more widely. From an entrepreneur rolling out solar power across rural India to a school adopting clean energy and green learning in England, our winners are passionate about bringing change to their communities and the planet.  This year, ToughStuff International, UK and Africa, was nominated as a 2011 Ashden Award winner.

ToughStuff's cheap, adaptable solar kits are sold by retailers both large and small.  Source: www.ashdenawards.org

Making solar affordable is key if the technology is to reach the millions who would benefit from it. ToughStuff is manufacturing and marketing a range of low-cost and robust solar products to off-grid communities across Africa, bringing the benefits of light, mobile phone charging and radio to poor households. So far 140,000 PV modules have been sold, benefitting around 740,000 people. The company also works with humanitarian relief agencies to bring solar lighting to people living in disaster zones in Haiti and Pakistan. ToughStuff aims to reach 33 million people by 2015 through its regional offices in Nairobi, Lagos and Johannesburg.

Story available:
http://www.ashdenawards.org/international_2011

Learn more about ToughStuff:
www.toughstuffonline.com