HONG KONG, CHINA, 26 April 2011 –d.light design announced today that the d.light S250 would reach base-of-the-pyramid families in Afghanistan, one of the most unelectrified countries in the world. Through a partnership with Sustainable Energy Services Afghanistan (SESA) and the United States Marines, the solar lanterns will reach seven thousand households in the southern province of Helmand.
“We are pleased that our products are successfully reaching those who need it most,” said d.light CEO Donn Tice. “We, SESA, and the U.S. Marines all believe that providing access to renewable energy for Afghan households is a key step in strengthening their economic prospects.”
When the U.S. Marines approached SESA to purchase solar-powered lighting for Afghan families, SESA immediately recommended the d.light S250. “d.light has a great reputation, and we like the cell phone charging design,” said Tony Woods, Owner and Director of SESA.
The Marines will distribute the solar lanterns through local mosques and schools. In a country with a 46 percent rate of unemployment, the lights will enable Afghan families to engage in income-generating and educational activities due to the extended day.
According to the United Nations Human Development Report 2010, Afghanistan ranks 155th out of the 169 countries evaluated. Eighty-five percent of the population does not have grid electricity; the majority of the population also does not have access to safe drinking water or sanitation services.
d.light’s product offering currently includes three solar lighting products: the S250 solar lantern and mobile charger, the highly affordable S10 lantern, and the Solata S380 study light. d.light products have already provided life-changing benefits for other three million people in forty countries worldwide.
About d.light
d.light’s mission is to enable households without reliable electricity to attain the same quality of life as those with electricity. The company aims to improve the lives of 100 million individuals, starting by replacing every kerosene lantern with clean, safe and bright light. d.light is financed by leading social enterprise funds Omidyar Network, Acumen Fund and Gray Matters Capital; with investment from prestigious venture capital firms including Nexus India Capital, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Garage Technology Ventures, the Mahindra Group.Learn more.
