Headteacher Beatrice with SolarAid lamps

Ashden Founding Director, Sarah Butler-Sloss, said of their decision that: “One of the biggest challenges in getting sustainable energy to the poor is getting to the ‘last mile’ – those remote rural areas where commercial distribution and retail networks simply don’t exist. SolarAid’s ingenious distribution methods are getting power to the people who need it the most.”

A delighted SolarAid Managing Director, Pippa Palmer, added that: “Through SunnyMoney, SolarAid’s goal is to build a sustainable future for solar technology in Africa through the sale of solar lights. In the last four months alone, our solar light sales in Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Kenya have increased by 62%, encouraging us to launch our fundraising campaign ‘Make it a Million’.  Being an Ashden Award finalist shines a light on this new challenge we have set ourselves, to fund further expansion of our distribution networks in order to sell one million solar lamps by the end of this year.”

• Emission reductions; a kerosene lamp emits up to one tonne of carbon over five years, a solar light emits none.

• Cleaner air; the fumes from one kerosene lamp is equivalent to smoking 40 cigarettes per day, a solar light emits none.

• Reduced costs; typical families in Kenya have reduced kerosene use by an average of 77% and are saving UK£74 per year through the use of solar lights.

• Improved education; children typically do 92% more homework / two extra hours of homework a night after their family secures a solar light in their home.