Impact
100 Million Families use kerosene lamps or domestic wood fires that provide inadequate lighting
They inhale carbon dioxide fumes, run the risk of fire accidents, and add to greenhouse emissions, while governments subsidize kerosene leading to loss of foreign exchange
SHLLs (Solar Home Led Light) provide 12 to 30 hours of bright light on energy generated through portable solar panels
From the perspective of the environment alone:
- Each SHLL in 10 years operation displaces the use of about 500–600 litres of kerosene
- This mitigates about 1.5 tonnes of CO2 and saves about 180–200 kWh (kilowatt-hour) of electricity annually at the user-end
- This translates into 280 kWh at the generation end, taking into account high technical and commercial losses, collectively mitigating about 2.8 tonnes of CO2.
The benefits of safe and efficient lighting are many, consider a few:
- Children can read after dark and night schools will become a reality for adult education
- Artisans like weavers, potters, carpenters, and tailors, as well as micro-enterprises can work longer hours
- Farmers, fishermen, and others can work safely in the fields and at sea, at their diaries, piggery, and so on
- Villagers can socialize and use their leisure time in the evening better
- People can live without fear of wild animals harassing them in the dark
- People can care equally well for the sick and the elderly in the night, as in day
- Avoiding kerosene lamps or fire as sources of light will ensure better eyesight and respiratory health