Panasonic Has Now Donated More Than 50,000 Solar Lanterns under Its “100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project”
The cumulative number of donated solar lanterns under the “100 Thousand
Solar Lanterns Project” implemented by Panasonic Corporation exceeded
50,000 on March 10, 2016, topping 50% of its numerical target.
OSAKA, Japan–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Panasonic Corporation’s “100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project” has passed
its halfway mark with the cumulative number of solar lanterns donated
exceeding 50,000 on March 10, 2016. This project began in February 2013
with a donation of 3,000 units to Myanmar, followed by donations to
other areas in Asia and Africa without access to electricity. The number
of solar lanterns donated was 10,000 for 3 countries in FY2013, 14,114
for 10 countries in FY2014 and 20,364 for 11 countries in FY2015. And in
FY2016, Panasonic continued to donate solar lanterns, and on March 10,
2016, 702 units were donated to Yen Bai province in Vietnam. With this,
the sum total of solar lanterns donated exceeded 50,000. After this, in
mid-March 2016, Panasonic donated 2,400 units to Cambodia and 760 units
to Bangladesh. Furthermore, donations to Indonesia, India, and the
Democratic Republic of Congo will be made by the end of March 2016,
bringing the sum total to more than 60,000 units.
The “100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project” is one of Panasonic’s
corporate citizenship activities (social contribution activities) that
utilize “products” it manufactures. More than 1.2 billion people*
worldwide still live without access to electricity. Lack of electric
lighting severely impacts health, education, income-generation and
safety at nighttime. Panasonic hopes to help alleviate the social
challenges people in developing and emerging countries living off-grid
are facing, and to bring positive change to their lives by donating
small lighting devices powered by solar energy. Panasonic has also
donated solar lanterns to give relief to communities stricken by
large-scale natural disasters or by epidemics.
*Source :
International Energy Agency (IEA), World Energy Outlook 2015 .
Panasonic aims to donate 100,000 solar lanterns under this project by
2018, the 100th anniversary of the company’s founding. In principle,
recipients are non-profit, non-governmental, humanitarian and
international organizations. So far, 80 organizations in 16 countries
have received these solar lanterns.
Reports from these
organizations have indicated that these solar lanterns have been put to
effective use for various activities including children’s studies,
literacy education for adults, safer child delivery and medical
treatment, and income-generation, and have helped improve the quality of
life of people living in rural, off-grid areas.
Panasonic will further accelerate its efforts under the 100 Thousand
Solar Lanterns Project so that it may successfully donate 100,000 units
by 2018, its 100th anniversary, and strengthen efforts to contribute to
the achievement of “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” adopted by
world leaders at the United Nations in September 2015.
Products currently being donated
– Solar Lantern (BG-BL03)
–
Solar LED Light (BG-BL04)
Learn more at http://panasonic.net/sustainability/en/lantern/products.html
.
Sum total of solar lanterns donated: Total: 53,260 (as of March 25, 2016)
- Myanmar: 9,464
- Cambodia: 8,914
- Vietnam: 1,332
- Philippines: 5,814
- Indonesia: 2,020
- Malaysia: 69
- Thailand: 100
- India: 14,006
- Bangladesh: 760
- Kenya: 6,008
- Uganda: 100
- Burundi: 1,233
- Niger: 200
- Liberia: 1,240
- Guinea: 1,000
- Sierra Leone: 1,000
Examples of usage of solar lanterns
Over 50,000 Solar Lanterns
Donated! Project Reaches Halfway Point:
http://panasonic.net/sustainability/en/lantern/2016/03/1603-midway.html
The
100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project at a glance:
http://panasonic.net/sustainability/en/lantern/2014/10/infographic.html
Philippines:
Solar Lanterns for Health in Villages without Electricity and Doctors:
http://panasonic.net/sustainability/en/lantern/2016/02/inam.html
Lanterns
used in Evening Literacy Classes: Shanti Volunteer Association:
http://panasonic.net/sustainability/en/lantern/2015/09/201509-sva.html
Solar
Lanterns and Living in the Area Devastated by Super Typhoon Haiyan (Part
2):
http://panasonic.net/sustainability/en/lantern/2015/11/201511-tacloban-2.html
Video: Cut Out the Darkness / Bringing the Gift of a Smile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVgBqpWZjes
Related Links
Panasonic’s Sustainability Initiatives:
http://www.panasonic.com/global/corporate/sustainability.html
100
Thousand Solar Lanterns Project Homepage:
http://panasonic.net/sustainability/en/lantern/
Facebook
@PanasonicSolarLantern:
https://www.facebook.com/PanasonicSolarLantern
Contacts
Media Contacts:
Panasonic Corporation
Global Communications
Department
Media Promotion Office
Tel: +81-(0)3-3574-5729
Fax:+81-(0)3-3574-5691
E-mail:presscontact@ml.jp.panasonic.com
