1.5 million solar lamps installed in Africa, a milestone to celebrate!

Did you know that 598 million people in Africa have no access to electricity, this leaves families with no clean source of light, and millions end up relying on expensive and dangerous sources of light. Some people use homemade kerosene lamps, which are a poor source of light, and emit a toxic black smoke while taking up 15% of a family's income.

Because of the lack of proper light, children can't do their homework at night, working days end prematurely and indoor air pollution is a serious health hazard.

But solar lights are literally a solution that has fallen out of the sky! SolarAid is distributing affordable solar lighting all of Africa, and now 1.5 million solar lighting installations are brightening Africa's future.

SolarAid is a London based international charity creating business-based solutions to poverty and climate change. They set up he social enterprise SunnyMoney in 2006 to run these operations in Africa, they are the largest seller and distributor of solar lights in Africa.

SunnyMoney uses distribution tactics to set up solar lights in rural off-grid communities that solely rely on kerosene lamps. In Africa, 91% of the rural population do not have access to electricity.

According to the SunnyMoney website,

"With a Solar Light you save all the money you would spend on Kerosene, Paraffin, Candles. Per year this comes to $70 saved per family on just lighting."

These solar kits can be bought for as little as $10 produces light for more than five years. And a solar light can pay for itself within 4-12 weeks. Thus, it's bringing cheaper lights, keeping people safe from health issues that come from kerosene lamps and providing a bright future where kids can study at night.

Not only this, but it saves CO2! A typical family's use of kerosene lamps causes emissions of 300kg of carbon dioxide a year, which can now be easily avoided.

"The light has changed our life. My kids eat well, study well and we are a happy family now." --Dickson Murumbi Teacher, Kenya