According to the International Energy Agency’s ‘2011 World Energy Outlook’, every day, as the sun sets around the world, 1.3 billion people without electricity either live in darkness or expose their families to the hazards of kerosene lighting. This year Energizer Holdings Inc of St. Louis, MO and Ascent Solar Technologies Inc aim to change that for many rural families as they team up to donate 13 million hours of solar light, working with the global nonprofit organization One Million Lights.
Energizer (which makes primary batteries, portable flashlights and lanterns) says that it chose Ascent to be the solar panel provider for the donated Energizer lanterns and lights because of its flexible thin-film technology and interest in using it to benefit families in developing nations. Unlike other traditional solar solutions, Ascent's copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) technology is both flexible and rugged, ensuring that the lighting system will remain operational even in extreme conditions. Also, the lightweight attributes of Ascent’s photovoltaic modules enable the entire system to be far more portable than systems that use traditional crystalline-based technology.
Ascent’s panels will be used in a 7-LED Energizer Rechargeable Lantern and a 4-LED Energizer Rechargeable Area Light. Both provide a safe, cost-effective alternative to traditional kerosene lamps for rural families.
“Many families living without electricity spend up to half of their income on kerosene lighting, which provides inadequate illumination, is hazardous to a family’s health and poor for the environment,” says One Million Lights’ founder Anna Sidana. “The solar lights provided by Energizer and Ascent will not only help families save money but allow them to work, study and play a little longer each day, helping to increase their overall quality of life,” she adds.
One Million Lights aims to provide clean, safe and affordable solar lighting to rural communities through its international distribution programs, enabled by partnerships and donations. Its goal is to distribute 1 million solar lights, replacing dangerous and polluting kerosene lamps.
Energizer began working with One Million Lights in 2011 with the launch of the Energizer Night Race for a Brighter World, a global series of nighttime running events where participants raced at night by the light of an Energizer headlight to raise awareness for the global need for safe, affordable lighting. In its first year, there were more than 30 races in 20 countries, donating 11 million hours of solar light. In 2012, Energizer donated an additional 12 million hours of solar light through its support of One Million Lights.
The Energizer and Ascent Solar lighting systems will be distributed to families from this summer.
