Without light, people can't cook, work, study,
or receive medical treatment at night.

Panasonic is sharing its solar technology to make their life better.

Spreading light to people without electricity

Panasonic Corporation plans to donate a total of 100,000 solar lanterns by 2018, the year of our 100th anniversary, to improve and enhance the quality of life in emerging economies and developing countries.

Recipients of the solar lanterns are non-profit, non-governmental and international organizations operating in Southeast Asia, South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, which still have major areas without electricity. By providing light from electricity generated with renewable energy, we aim to help address social challenges in areas such as education, health, and the empowerment of women, and to generate positive change in the lives of the people.

Panasonic solar lanterns light up communities without electricity

The story behind Panasonic solar lanterns goes back to 2006.

That year, the Republic of Uganda's Minister of State for the Vice President's Office visited Japan and toured the Solar Ark, an ark-shaped solar array that symbolizes our efforts to help realize a clean energy future. He later sent us a letter explaining the circumstances people face in areas without electricity in Uganda, including health problems caused by the black smoke from kerosene lamps. He also indicated that our solar cells could help improve their quality of life, and invited our cooperation.

Encouraged by his letter, we began research and development to use our expertise in energy storage and energy generation technologies to help solve these issues. This led to the development of our solar lanterns.

Later, we began activities to donate solar lanterns to regions including Africa and Asia, in partnership with non-profit, non-governmental and international organizations, and have also been working to improve the products to reflect local needs. In February 2013, we launched the "100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project."

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted on 2015, and the Sixth Tokyo International Conference of African Development (TICAD VI) is slated for 2016. In order to improve the lives of people around the world, and to create a world in which “no one will be left behind,” Panasonic will provide solar lanterns for the people who need them.

The Circle of Donation is Expanding

Myanma Posts and Telecommunications

Donated over 800 eneloop solar storages to monastic education schools in Mandalay, Sagaing and Magway, Myanmar.

Maybank

Donated over 2,500 solar lanterns to off-grid rural villages in Myanmar.

DeNA / Save the Children (Home Run for Life)

In 2014, the Yokohama DeNA BayStars launched a project to donate a solar lantern to midwives through Save the Children’s project to promote maternal and child health in Myanmar, for each home run made by the team's players in official games.

Kota Town, Aichi Prefecture, Japan

Through the Kota Lions Club, Kota Town donated 12 solar lanterns to the Torakiethto Elementary School in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

MITSUI&CO.

Donatated stand-alone "power supply station" to off-grid rural village in Maguwei region in Myanmar.