Solar Lights for World Development
Lighting and Development
More than 1.6 billion people in the developing world rely on fuel-based lighting systems, including candles and kerosene lamps. Such systems reduce air quality, present a fire hazard, provide low-quality light and are financially costly. These problems tend to be most acute in Sub-Saharan Africa where over 500 million people are without good-quality lighting. The severity of this issue becomes apparent when one takes note of the many linkages between lighting and development. Many of these connections relate directly to the Millennium Development Goals set forward by the United Nations.Health & Safety
The World Health Organization has estimated that in 2004, nearly three million deaths in low-income countries resulted from lower respiratory infections. Kerosene causes significant indoor air pollution, which can be directly linked to respiratory infections such as influenza and pneumonia.
Sometimes when you lit it, it produces a lot of smoke which affects the nose and the eyes, which has affected me before
-Female Interviewee, Rural Ghana (Lighting Africa Ghana Qualitative Off-Grid Lighting Market Assessment)
With alternative lighting systems, the use of kerosene and the associated indoor air pollution problems are avoided. Not only is illness circumvented, but better lighting can also improve the ability of health service providers to treat patients after dark.
In terms of personal safety, outdoor lighting systems can provide important visibility and security for personal, business and community activities. Where overturned candles and kerosene lamps are responsible for a great number of damaging fires, solar lights present no such danger.
Education
It is difficult to read by the poor-quality light provided by kerosene lamps. According to Evan Mills of the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), simple wick lanterns provide only about 1 lux at one meter from the source (in comparison to levels closer to 500 lux from common light sources in industrialized countries). Many thousands of children read their schoolbooks close to this dim light, resulting in unnecessary smoke inhalation and eyestrain.
Improved lighting in schools and in homes expands time for reading and studying, helps to retain students, and improves their grades and opportunities for the future. In addition to opportunities for children, the ability to read after dark opens doors for adult literacy and higher education programs.
Gender Equality
In many developing countries, and particularly in rural areas, "energy poverty" affects men and women differently. Under present social divisions of labour, women tend to be the primary managers of energy for their households as large quantities of energy are required for their daily subsistence and productive activities. Women spend a great deal of time and physical effort gathering fuel and hauling water over long distances, often outside of daylight hours. Light is needed, for example, for early morning chores, visits to the toilet after dark, and preparing evening meals.
Many of the perceived residential benefits of good-quality lighting are directly correlated with increased gender equality and opportunities for women. Lighting both improves working conditions in the home and makes the streets safer after dark and increases the possibility of evening activities (classes, women's group meetings, participation in public meetings etc.). In this way, the availability of lighting can increase the community participation, literacy and educational levels among women while extending the working day for income-generating activities.
Environmental Sustainability
Through the use of rechargeable batteries in many alternative lighting systems, the disposal large numbers of dry-cell batteries into the natural environment is avoided. Harmful heavy metals are thus kept out of precious soil and water resources. With reduced demand for firewood for light, the negative impacts of deforestation and desertification (including habitat destruction and water pollution) are avoided.
According to LBNL, the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions in the developing world is the dirty, hazardous and expensive fuel used for lighting. Switching away from fuel-based lighting sources means preventing the emission of millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Poverty Reduction
Among the poorest of the poor, lighting is often the most costly of their energy expenses. In Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, lighting typically accounts for 10-15% of total household income. In spite of its high cost, fuel based has significant disadvantages, as outlined above.
Meanwhile, a positive correlation has been found between increased access to energy and rises in annual household income-level. Lighting is a key challenge to millions of entrepreneurs and businesses who have difficulty operating after dark. Better lighting allows for an extension of the working day for small and medium enterprises – meaning expanded production, better opportunities for income, improved working conditions and increasing numbers of customers. The long life of white LEDs and their low power requirements result in extremely low maintenance costs. Over time, savings from kerosene replacement serve to substantially increase disposable incomes. Currently, lighting costs divert money away from food, health services, housing and other basic needs in poor countries. As such, the expansion of access to affordable, modern lighting is directly related to the eradication of endemic poverty.
Towards an Alternative
New advancements in lighting technology (such as compact fluorescent light bulbs and light emitting diodes) promise clean, portable, durable, lower cost, and higher quality lighting. When paired with solar energy, these light sources are particularly clean, high-quality, safe, and cost-effective. Glenergy’s Edulight combines a small solar panel, ten NiMH batteries and a one watt 18 LED bulb. This simple technology has the power to change lives. A light bulb that is higher or lower in consumption by a single watt would probably not even be noticed in a typical North American home. However, the Edulight’s one watt can provide years of clean, white light. With good light comes a sense of security, clean air to breathe and opportunities for productivity and education after the sun sets.
The challenge is to make these products accessible to the 1.6 billion "lighting poor" people. With expenditures on fuel based lighting estimated at USD $38 billion annually, the potential exists to engage the international lighting industry in this new market area, while serving consumers, bolstering local commerce, creating jobs, enhancing incomes, cleaning the air, and improving health, safety, and quality of life.
To read about what we are doing to address this important issue, visit Glenergy in the Developing World, learn about our Current Projects and find out How You Can Help today! If you want to build lights yourself, read how to build an Edulight yourself.
Several other groups are also involved in exploring ways to assist those using fuel-based lighting to use better lighting technologies. Please explore any of these sites for more information: