D.light Design

D.light Design is a socially driven business that sells affordable solar powered LED light sources to the more than 1.5 billion people globally who lack reliable access to electricity.  By replacing kerosene lanterns with clean, non-polluting LED lights, D.light is working to significantly contribute to carbon emission reduction in the developing world as well as put an end to energy poverty.    

Most of the world's poor rely on kerosene to provide lighting for their homes.  On average, a single kerosene lantern releases 1 ton of CO₂ over five years.  Not only environmentally hazardous, kerosene poses significant health risks when burned indoors.   D.light's core product, the 'Solata', a portable, high quality rechargeable LED lamp offers an affordable lighting alternative up to 10 times brighter than a kerosene lamp.  The company also has a second product line, the 'Nova Series' which offers customers another affordable LED option to fit their lighting needs.  The savings in money and time in obtaining kerosene means that the investment in the low cost solar light pays for itself after just a few months of use.     

 As well as environmental benefits, D.light solar lamps have an immediate effect on quality of life.  Customers enjoy cost savings from no longer purchasing kerosene, increased income due to the extended workday that reliable lighting affords, improved educational outcomes for students who are able to study longer hours and improved general health from removing dangerous and toxic kerosene lanterns from the home.  In particular, the financial impact that solar provides can be significant.  In one village in India, 47 households purchased D.light solar lamps.  Within 3 months of purchasing the lamps, the average household income in the village had increased 50% -- from US$12 to US$18.  The increase was attributed to the ability of families to work later into the evenings on jobs that supplemented the primary income.

 D.light currently operates primarily in India, East Africa, and China with distributor partnerships thoughout Asia, Africa and other developing countries.  The strength of the venture lies in their ability to provide products that exactly meet the needs of their customers.  All products are designed for their particular environmental conditions at a cost that the customer can actually afford.  The company is involved in every aspect of the business, from R&D and product design to manufacturing and sales.  D.light partners with NGOs such as Beyond Solar and local Microfinance insitutions to aid in product distribution and to ensure that even the poorest customers can afford their solar lamps. 

 D.light Design currently employs 70 people in their offices around Asia.  Since its founding in 2007, D.light has provided affordable, environmentally efficient lighting and affected the lives of more than 200,000 people in India, Tanzania (East Africa), and other developing countries.