Why Solar Energy?

Solar energy can play a critical role in lifting people out of extreme poverty, providing them with dependable, clean, safe and renewable sources for household energy and community development. Solar energy also decreases the environmental damage caused by burning diesel fuel, wood and charcoal.

Generally, these are the poorest and least educated people. During daylight hours, they are busy working small jobs to earn money or raise crops. But when the sun goes down, it’s too dark to learn to read, to teach children, or to work on small practical projects that can help earn money.

Solar energy can play a critical role in lifting people out of extreme poverty, providing them with dependable, clean, safe and renewable sources for household energy and community development.

One solar lantern can provide a school, clinic, or family with a sustainable lighting source for at least ten years or longer. During that time, dozens of children can learn to read, women can support themselves with a home-based craft or small business, and clinics may save the lives of thousands of patients.

For most of its projects, Fifty Lanterns has purchased either the MightyLight solar lantern from CosmosIgnite Innovations or the BoGo Solar Flashlight from SunNight Solar. These LED lights were developed especially for use in the developing world, and has the quality and durability to last many years in a harsh environment.

Benefits of Solar Energy:
• Redirects family spending from kerosene to food, clothing, medicine or school fees
• Provides light for income-generating activities like sewing or weaving;

• Allows children to read and study in the evenings;


• Reduces deforestation caused by burning wood or charcoal;


• Eliminates both the health and safety risks of kerosene lighting;


• Provides a dependable, non-polluting source of light for many years.