Sustainable Light, Sustainable Living

The Dirt:
Solar seems the most intuitive alternative energy option, but the hardest and costliest to implement. But, as with every type of change in America, we think baby steps is the best way to alter the lifestyles of the masses. Pisat Solar is helping with that process through their creation, the K-Light Solar Lantern.

The small, yet bright, LED lantern is powered by solar energy, which means it requires no batteries and no electricity. The green, water-resistant light has a 20-hour runtime and and is easy to carry. About the size of a large drinking glass, the light is great for camping use or outdoor parties, and safer than candles. K-Light comes with a light, shatterproof solar panel that easily hooks up to the light to charge it. But what makes the product special is its ability to help people in developing nations, without electricity.

Enter Light For Africa, Pisat’s program with the Koinonia Foundation and its Beacon Program to provide K-Lights to African villages, where a reported 75% lack electricity. The program gives African women a “start-up grant” of K-Lights to sell in their villages. Then, they use the proceeds from the first sale to buy K-Lights at discounted prices. The women then sell to others in their villages and the whole system creates local businesses, with an easily marketed product, since the K-Light is a great option for people living in rural villages, without electricity. Also, Pisat donates a portion of proceeds to Koinonia, so by purchasing a K-Light, you are indirectly helping to empower African women.

Where:
The K-Light is $49.95. To learn more about products or buy items, visit the Pisat solar website. For more information about the Koinonia program, visit the Koinonia Foundation website.