PERREAULT Magazine FEB | MAR 2015 | Page 119

Perreault Magazine - 119 -

Solar lights don’t just provide bright light for families in Africa, they support livelihoods, education and create a healthier environment. We have five dedicated research teams who help us measure the amazing impact of these little solar lights.

The impact on a family in rural Africa

•Clean, safe light for the family – who reduce the risk of fire in the home, can move around safely after dark and have more opportunity to spend time together.

•An average of $70 saved each year from reduced spending on kerosene, candles or batteries for light – about 10% of household income.

•Half of families notice better health due to reduced indoor air pollution in the home, including a reduction in coughing, chest problems eye irritations and illness.

•Children study for an extra hour each night, on average, and can make the most of their education.

•Households reduce their CO₂ emissions by up to 300kg each year.

In Africa 82% of the rural population don't have access to electricity. By April 2014 our social enterprise SunnyMoney had sold over one million solar lights to families across Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Senegal. 90% of SunnyMoney solar light customers live below the poverty line and collectively, the impact of one million solar lights is huge.

The impact of one million solar lights for households

across rural Africa

6.2 million people with access to safe, clean solar light.

$215 million saved by families *

3.6 million people noticing better health.

1.2 billion extra study hours for children *

540,000 tonnes of CO₂ averted *