HONG KONG, CHINA, 16 November 2010 – d.light design today announced that it has impacted two million lives around the world through its solar-powered lighting products. The milestone was reached only eight months after d.light impacted its one-millionth customer. Since the launch of their revolutionary and affordable product line in 2008, the social enterprise has sold hundreds of thousands of solar lanterns to off-grid households in over 40 countries around the world.
“We’re very proud to know that two million people around the world are benefitting from our products,” said CEO Sam Goldman. “That means hundreds of thousands of families are no longer reliant on kerosene lanterns or candles for light. They can save money every month, their children can study at night, and their homes are safer.”
While benefits experienced by individual customers are significant, the collective impact of d.light’s products is even more notable. Based on independent market studies of kerosene costs, current d.light customers will cumulatively save about USD60 million over the lifetime of the products. Increased productivity resulting from access to bright lighting will put another USD65 million into the pockets of poor rural families. The combined savings and increased income will provide more options for households in key areas such as health, education, communication and transport.
In addition, d.light products sold thus far, which replace one or two kerosene lanterns each, will reduce carbon emissions by at least 82,600 tons. This is equivalent to the CO2 emitted from driving around the globe 9,283 times, or the weight of more than eight Eiffel Towers.
Recognized by the Cleantech Group as one of the world’s top 100 market-changing cleantech companies, d.light is continuing to expand its reach across the globe and expects to reach its third-millionth customer in a few short months.
“We are thrilled at this achievement, but our goal remains to replace every kerosene lantern with clean, safe and bright light, “ said President Ned Tozun. “d.light will continue to push boundaries in affordability and effective distribution to reach every single household that does not have access to reliable electricity.”
Currently the d.light solar product line includes D.LIGHT S250, a premium solar lantern and mobile phone charger, D.LIGHT S10, the world’s most affordable solar lantern, and Solata S380, a high-quality solar task lamp. d.light will release additional solar products in 2011, and expects global sales to continue to grow at a rapid pace. The company’s goal is to impact 100 million lives by the end of 2020.
About d.light
d.light is an international consumer products company serving people without access to reliable electricity. Our mission is to enable households without reliable electricity to attain the same quality of life as those with electricity. We will begin by replacing every kerosene lantern with clean, safe and bright light. By 2020, we aim to have improved the lives of 100 million individuals. 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.
