Candles, kerosene, and poor quality batteries are expensive. The average rural family will spend 10% of their income on dangerous and toxic energy sources. This means that the poorest people in the world are proportionately spending more on energy than anyone else on the planet.
Families usually purchase their lighting sources when they have excess money to do so making them unable to save money. Without savings, it is nearly impossible to afford to upfront costs of cleaner and cheaper energy sources such as solar power.
This is why we do not just work to make solar lights available to families, schools and health facilities, we innovate models and financing mechanisms to make the most affordable solar products even more affordable.
Health facilities have a similar problem. When there is no electricity, diesel is relied on. Struggling with budgets, the fuel has to be used sparingly and often runs out. This does not just mean there is no light, it means lifesaving health equipment cannot be used.
With a solar light, families start to save money for the first time. These savings are most commonly spent on food, school, and business. The cycle of poverty can be broken.
For institutions, such as health facilities, they can stay open during the night and ensure their equipment can stay on 24 hours a day.
A solar light saves money.
