
How a small solar lamp is changing people’s lives.
Little Sun is a global project with a social business model that was launched by artist Olafur Eliasson and engineer Frederik Ottensen in 2012. 1.1 billion people worldwide have no access to electricity. This fact prompted the two of them to develop the Little Sun solar lamp. A small sun with a solar element on the back. The product offers design and functionality and, of course, an important message.
The idea and the benefits
It began as a modest idea. A small, portable solar lamp was to be developed for people without electricity in Ethiopia. Today, it has become a global project. A project that has changed over two million lives through the mighty power of the sun (see our global impact).
Little Sun’s Social Business was founded in 2012 by artist Olafur Eliasson and engineer Frederik Ottesen at London’s Tate Modern. The project brings clean, reliable and affordable energy to the 1.1 billion people around the world who live without electricity. At the same time, it raises awareness of energy access and climate protection worldwide.
Where the little sun unfolds its effect
Little Sun Licht brings solar energy to more than 10 African countries, including Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal and Ghana – with many more to follow. To date (as of December 2018), the company has distributed a total of 838,308 Little Suns worldwide. Of these, over 510,844 lamps went into areas without electricity. And this number is growing rapidly.
The founders not only want to bring solar energy to people who live without an electricity grid. They also want to inspire enthusiasm for renewable energy, climate protection and sustainability everywhere else in the world. For example, in museums, at fashion shows, in schools, in camping equipment stores and at UN climate conferences. Little Sun wants to draw attention to the importance of saving resources and protecting the environment.
Little Sun lamps are not a donation
In order to promote the local economy in Africa, the solar lamps are not given away. If the local lamp vendor can no longer sell anything because non-profit organizations are giving away the same or better quality products, the economic development of a country suffers considerably. Little Sun would rather ensure that jobs are created and educational opportunities are simplified. The salespeople receive business training and marketing materials. The organization provides the lamps at cost price and thus ensures that light reaches the most remote regions. A win-win situation for everyone! There are also countless collaborations with governments, schools and projects to bring the life-changing lamps to the people who need them.
Little Sun family grows
In addition to the Little Sun, there is also a solar charger. The Little Sun Charge, the solar-powered phone charger, is very popular in Africa. Because the local people all have cell phones, but often only expensive and distant options for charging them.
The Little Sun Diamond product has been available since September 2017. It fulfills the same purpose as the Little Sun Original, but is now a further development. The lens is larger, which means more light, there is also a practical stand and less plastic has been used. The Little Sun contains 70 grams of plastic, the diamond less than 20 grams.
Ikea also gets involved
IKEA has teamed up with Ólafur Elíasson’s Little Sun label to develop a collection of solar energy storage units. The collection bears the name “Sammanlänkad”. “Sammanlänkad” is currently still at the prototype stage, but will be available in all IKEA stores from 2021. You can then buy hand-sized, circular energy storage units that can be used as a light source or to charge small electronic devices. In daylight, the modules can be hung in the window to recharge their batteries.
Discover the projects of Little Sun: https://littlesun.com/projects/
(Sources: https://littlesun.com/; https://taz.de/Little-Sun-Diamond/!165028/ (author: Nicola Schwarzmaier); https://berlinvalley.com/little-sun-bringt-licht-nach-afrika/ (author: Josefine Köhn-Haskins); https://www.ad-magazin.de/article/ikea-little-sun# (author: Clara Westhoff))