The US Government’s Power Africa initiative has funding for innovative African businesses and projects that are working towards increasing energy access among communities that are not connected to grid electricity. Power Africa, through the U.S. African Development Foundation, has opened the second round of its Off-Grid Energy Grant Challenge which will award a total of … Read More
Little Sun, the creator of the portable, solar-powered Little Sun lamp, has been awarded a $5 million impact investment by Bloomberg Philanthropies. This is Bloomberg Philanthropies first-ever impact investment and will provide a low interest rate loan that will allow Little Sun to grow its social business, and provide more people and businesses across Africa … Read More
A second off-grid lighting product from Niwa – Next Energy Products Ltd , the Uno 50, has met the rigorous Lighting Global Minimum Quality Standards. The Uno 50 is a compact, durable, and portable lighting product with an inbuilt solar module. It comes with a stand that makes the product ideal as a task light e.g. for … Read More
SolarAid and the University of Edinburgh announced a three year research partnership to look at waste, recycling and repair of solar lights in Africa, funded by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council . The PhD research project will look at waste management and recycling processes and practices in similar markets and make recommendations for … Read More
Lighting Africa has published two additional Market Intelligence articles to provide information and guidance regarding after sales service and maintenance, and warranty practices for off-grid lights in Kenya and Tanzania. These articles are based on field research and interviews conducted in 2013, as well as interviews conducted with international companies working in similar markets. Market … Read More
Orb Energy has released a new product, the Solectric 30, which doubles the power and lamps of its first product, the Solectric 15. The Solectric 30 comes with four hanging/ceiling lamps that cumulatively provide up to 600 lumens (very bright) of light, which is enough light to light several rooms, for more than four hours. This solar … Read More
d.light design has introduced a new plug-and-play solar home lighting system which offers two lamps and a portable lantern. The product can charge mobile phones. The D20, which has met the Lighting Global Minimum Quality Standards, has two light settings – bright ambient light, and task or reading light. In Kenya, customers have the option … Read More
Google is funding a two-year study on the impact of solar lights on poverty alleviation. Google has put up $650,000 for a Randomised Control Trial study (RCT), the first large-scale research project of its kind, for pico-solar lights. The study will be undertaken by SolarAid,a leading distributor of solar lights in Africa. At the inauguration … Read More
Three lighting companies have recently released products that meet the off-grid lighting Minimum Quality Standards. These new products come with new features including remote controls, extended warranties and brighter settings offering consumers yet more value for money. Barefoot Power has released its fifth product, a new plug-and-play solar home system, the Connect 600, which is … Read More
An award-winning portable solar lamp, the SUNLITE JS30-MOB, has been successfully tested and meets the rigorous Lighting Global Minimum Quality Standards. The lamp is the product of a socially driven manufacturer, India Impex (SUNLITE), which joins a growing number of companies committed to developing and marketing high quality lighting products for families in Africa and … Read More