In rural households around 89% of the households do not have access to electricity. They use kerosene or paraffin lamps and candles to light their homes. But these are dim, low-quality sources of light. They emit toxic fumes that cause respiratory illnesses, they are a fire risk, and they contribute to climate change.
The project distributes 652,000 solar lights to rural homes in communities across four provinces of Zambia: Western, Southern, Eastern and Lusaka, bringing light to 1.5 million people.
By distributing our solar lights through schools and other community centers, it enables children to read and study at night with a bright, clean and safe light.
“When the lights are on at night, it feels like a town, not a village. Now we use the power of the sun for lighting and we no longer need to spend on expensive candles and kerosene.” – Bernard Namasumo, Head Teacher at a rural school in Zinazongwe, Zambia
The project distributes our award-winning solar lights to rural families breaking the affordability barrier for solar lighting by selling the lights at a subsidised price and providing access in rural villages using our own distribution network as well as last-mile distribution partners.
The lights distributed are multifunctional, portable and can be used indoors as desk lamps or hung on the wall, as well as outdoors as a head torch.
Our project delivers not only verified emissions reductions, but unique co-benefits. By using solar lights families improve their health, education and economic circumstances.
To learn more about our project in Zambia, or find out how you can purchase VERs please get in touch with our climate team here.
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