100 THOUSAND SOLAR LANTERNS PROJECT

About 1.1 billion people(As of January 2018) in the world, or about one out of every six people, live without electricity. Panasonic has donated solar lanterns through the 100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project to solve the social issues for a better life of people living in areas without electricity from 2013 to 2018.

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Reaching the 100 thousand goal and going beyond

About 1.1 billion people(As of January 2018) in the world, or about one out of every six people, live without electricity. Panasonic has donated solar lanterns through the 100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project to solve the social issues for a better life of people living in areas without electricity from 2013 to 2018.

Panasonic has been working on corporate citizenship activities to meet social needs based on our basic management philosophy, "company as a public entity of society.” We are now committed to an inclusive society without poverty by engaging in activities for human development, new opportunities and mutual understanding. The 100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project is one of our initiatives to create social opportunities to end poverty.

パナソニックグループCSR・企業市民活動重点テーマ「共生社会の実現に向けた貧困の解消」

We have joined hands with non-governmental and international organizations to help solve educational and health issues, empower women and improve people's well-being to create change that will lead to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Panasonic commits to fight poverty with various stakeholders by leveraging our products, technologies, knowledges and resources accumulated through our business.

Initiatives for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  • Clean Energy
  • 健康 教育 女性
  • 貧困

Reach out to people living off-grid

Our solar lantern donation project kicked off in Myanmar in 2013, and more than 100 thousand units have been donated thus far, to 30 countries in Asia and Africa.
(Click the number to see the details of donation to each country)

Donating Countries

Africa

  • 1

    Uganda

  • 2

    Ethiopia

  • 3

    Cameroon

  • 4

    Guinea

  • 5

    Kenya

  • 6

    DR Congo

  • 7

    Sierra Leone

  • 8

    Swaziland

  • 9

    Tanzania

  • 10

    Nigeria

  • 11

    Niger

  • 12

    Burundi

  • 13

    Mauritania

  • 14

    Liberia

  • 15

    Rwanda

  • 16

    Lesotho

  • 17

    South Africa

Asia

  • 18

    India

  • 19

    Indonesia

  • 20

    Cambodia

  • 21

    Thailand

  • 22

    Nepal

  • 23

    Bangladesh

  • 24

    Philippines

  • 25

    Vietnam

  • 25

    Malaysia

  • 25

    Myanmar

  • 25

    Laos

Latin America

  • 29

    Guyana

  • 30

    Haiti

Panasonic 100 thousand Solar Lanterns Project (2013-2018)

Panasonic Solar Lanterns

Social impacts and stories of changes

We have witnessed how light can brighten up people’s life with the help of our recipient organizations. Here are some of the success stories on the social impacts brought about by solar lanterns.

Safe and clean light without harms

BEFORE
The main source of light in off-grid areas is kerosene lamps. The black smoke poses serious damage to the respiratory system, and the dim light strains the eyes. If kerosene lamps can be replaced by electricity, it will eliminate health problems as well as fire concerns.
AFTER

Kerosene lamp usage

37.7％
  • Recipient: ARCTIC　
  • Region: Myanmar
  • Term: February to August 2016
  • Survey method: Household survey

People living in areas without electricity face health hazards caused by the black smoke of kerosene lamps. Panasonic’s solar cells are a solution to those issues. Please provide us with your support.
ーLetter from the Republic of Uganda's Minister of State for the Vice President's Office
The history of Panasonic’s solar lanterns was born from that one letter received from a minister of Uganda. Safe light that shines in the night not only reduces health hazards for people worldwide but also creates relaxing time with family and vibrant communities.

Welcome new life to a bright world

BEFORE
Birth in the dark. Medical care in dim light. Sudden blackouts during surgery. Infants and mothers can receive safer care if there is light.
AFTER

Babies born
under bright light

2,434 people
  • Recipient: Save the Children Japan
  • Region: Myanmar
  • Term: 2015-2017
  • Survey method: Estimate based on health authority figures

“The electricity is not available in my assigned two villages and there were many difficulties in providing health care at night. Now, solar lantern helps me a lot in my daily activities. I can also use it for emergency situation, as here is a high risk area of disaster.”
(Daw San San Myint, Midwife)
Solar lanterns provide safety to mothers and children during childbirth in areas without electricity, but more than that, they provide a sense of security. Reports say that shifting from hazardous kerosene lamps to solar lanterns has promoted health: It alleviated asthma; and people can purchase vegetables with the money saved as solar lanterns cost nothing for fuel.

Light for a brighter future

BEFORE
In the dark or dim light, children cannot study to their heart’s content even if they want to. With light, they will able to read and study more to find their dreams for the future.
AFTER

Success rate of
promotion exam

57%-100%
  • Recipient: Saetanar
  • Region: Myanmar
  • Term: 2015-2017
  • Survey method: School statistics

“I study hard with friends day and night and my test grades have improved. Solar lanterns are bright and help me study. My dream is to become a doctor someday.”
(Aye Nyein San)
Early morning class before a test. Classes held in a dim classroom. After school and night time studies. A bright learning environment boosts children’s motivation. In one elementary school in the Philippines, the attendance rate has improved by 12%. One girl in Myanmar beamed that her grades have risen to the top of her class. A student in Bangladesh has enrolled in the top university in the country. In Cambodia, the lanterns are being used at literacy classes for adults after their farm work for the day.

Light supports women’s independence

BEFORE
Dim kerosene lamps strain the eyes and limit efficiency when creating handcrafts that require meticulous attention. Since housework had to be done during the day, working time is limited, which prevents them from generating sufficient income.
AFTER

Annual income increase

about 40%
  • Recipient: CALICO
  • Region: India
  • Term: 2015-2017
  • Survey method: Interview

“We teach embroidery to women in rural villages and pass on traditional culture as a way to support their independence. Ever since the solar lanterns came, the women have been working with even greater motivation and some have increased their monthly income by as much as 1,000 rupees. This design is a symbol of our gratitude.”
(Archana, Designer)
Working in a bright environment will improve efficiency, reduce errors, and increase income. If there is light at night, women will have more freedom in how they spend their time during the day. Additionally, there are risks of sexual violence when going to the toilet at night, but light will secure safety for these women and they can greet the next day with peace of mind.

Get out of poverty

BEFORE
For low income families, the high cost of kerosene lamps is a heavy burden. If these fuel costs can be reduced, they can spend more money on education and use in other ways to escape poverty.
AFTER

Monthly fuel cost

50%減
  • Recipient: LIFE WITH DIGNITY (LWD) **
  • Region: Cambodia
  • Term: 2014-2016
  • Survey method: Household survey
**Coordinate by Japan Evangelical Lutheran Association, a partner organization of LWD

“Cutting utility costs and using that money for consumption that leads to independence is the first step in escaping poverty. Solar lanterns change people’s lives for the better.”
(Dr. Lowell Gretebeck)
Money saved is now being used for purposes where funds were short before, like food, education and medical care. The benefits of lanterns are even greater in remote rural areas where fuel costs are higher. Lanterns also create another significant impact: increased income. When people can work under a bright light, they can extend working hours and improve household income.

Before and After Movie

How did solar lanterns improve local lives? Members visited the communities to hear the voices of users.

Other Movies

Dialogue with Stakeholders

Other Dialogues

  • 詳しい活動報告は10万台プロジェクトサイトへ

【Sources】

*1 Research by recipient ARTIC in Myanmar. The calculation is based on two rounds of research, conducted in February and August 2016, regarding the changes in kerosene lamp use inside recipient households.

*2 Data provided by recipient Save the Children Japan in Myanmar. Estimate based on how many infants were born between 2015 and 2017.

*3 Calculated by recipient Saetanar in Myanmar. Pass rate by 9th graders in examinations held at the end of the school year. The exam success (passing) rate rose from 13 out of 23 in 2014-15 up to 32 out of 32 in 2016-17.

*4 Research by recipient Calico in India. The time that one person works increased by one hour a day and monthly income by about 1,000 rupees in good months. This works out to an increase of 3,600 to 6,000 rupees throughout the year, approximately 40% increase in average annual income.

*5 The monthly average income in Cambodia was US$72 based on results of November 2014 research by the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Association. A comparison of life before and after solar lantern usage revealed that savings in kerosene and battery charge costs were approximately 50% of monthly fuel expenditures.