Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF)

❗ Haiti urgently needs your help ❗

Amid escalating gang violence, the solar-electric system at our partner K-12 residential school has been a lifeline for local children, teachers, and nuns—powering lights which have successfully deterred the kidnapping and violence witnessed elsewhere in the country.

But the battery bank is in urgent need of replacement, jeopardizing 400 lives. Read more from SELF’s leadership below, and give now to make a meaningful difference: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/selfhaitifund

Vaccines save lives. 💉 By equipping rural health clinics with a source of electricity, we enable the cold storage of vital immunizations.

This clinic in Kourel, Benin recently received its first vaccine refrigerator thanks to our generous donors.

Today is —the date when humanity's ecological toll surpasses what Earth can regenerate in a year.

In the words of Robert Swan, “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”

Enough waiting. We must .

Hello from Dunkassa! Located in rural Benin, this community receives its energy from the sun. ☀️

Solar electricity powers clean water pumps, farms, businesses, and healthcare—allowing locals to access a higher quality of life, while being stewards of their environment.

💡 Where are we on the path to achieving universal energy access? A new report from the United Nations and partner organizations offers 5 key takeaways:

𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗰 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁 - Since 2010, 48 additional countries achieved universal access to electricity, with Latin American and Caribbean nations representing the largest share. However, 93 countries around the globe still fall short of this goal, the vast majority in Sub-Saharan Africa.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻-𝗿𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 - Access deficits in rural areas continue to shrink, yet sizable gaps remain, with impacts to diverse areas of life. In Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, only 7 percent of rural households have access to clean cooking, versus 40 percent in urban areas.

𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 - International public financial flows to developing countries peaked in 2016 at USD 28.5 billion. In 2022, it was down to USD 15.4 billion.

𝗢𝗳𝗳-𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 - Stand-alone off-grid solar solutions, including solar lights and solar home systems, were estimated to serve 490 million people in 2022, with the majority using it as their main source of power.

𝗪𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝘂𝗽, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 - There is no viable path to universal access without accelerated deployment of decentralized solutions.

Read the report:https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/cdd62b11-664f-4a85-9eb6-7f577d317311/SDG7-Report2024-0611-V9-highresforweb.pdf

Learn more about SELF: https://www.self.org/

Energy access is the foundation. With energy:
📕 children can study at night
⚕️ doctors can operate medical equipment
🍏 farmers can feed their communities
💡 citizens can access information
➕ more

Yet 1 in 8 still lack access to electricity today. Give now & change lives forever: https://donate.givedirect.org/?cid=14695&n=700473

In its first year, the solar cooking program has reached 500 people with new skills and earnings.

In partnership with the Rape-Hurts Foundation, the program connects survivors of sexual- and gender-based violence in Uganda with income opportunities. Program participants learn the ins and outs of solar ovens, and the business skills to launch their own bakery stands, catering enterprises, and more. 👩‍🍳🍞

About the program: https://www.self.org/powering-womens-entrepreneurship/

Solar power is changing lives around the globe. 🌍

From the US to Uganda, learn how solar is creating new opportunities in rural and marginalized communities.

Dive into SELF's Annual Report: https://indd.adobe.com/view/29f3fa2c-0385-4bc3-b41c-7c6efed1fa4a

Knowledge is power. ⚡ The solar-powered justice center—known as the BarefootLaw- "Law Box"—connects low-income people in rural Uganda to free legal services.

We're proud to partner on this initiative, and support the region's 54,300 people in gaining access to justice.

A more food-secure world is possible, and it starts with energy.

In a recent op-ed for American Solar Energy Society - ASES, SELF's executive director examines the connection between electrification and food security, and some of the pivotal energy solutions making a difference today.

Read it now: https://ases.org/water-and-food-insecurity/

We cannot break the cycle of poverty without universal energy access.

For every home. For every school. For every hospital. For every person.

📸: Solar panels electrify a community building in Indigenous Arhuaco Territory, South America

You can now find us on Wingtap! Follow along and easily support energy access projects.

With your help, we can bring solar power to the world. 🌍

👉 Direct link to SELF on the Wingtap app: https://wingtap.app.link/CT4jDov4cKb

🌍 Travel the world and learn about the latest life-changing solar innovations.

💡 SELF's Annual Report takes you from the US to Uganda and beyond, exploring the climate-smart solutions that are improving life for thousands.

Read now: https://indd.adobe.com/view/29f3fa2c-0385-4bc3-b41c-7c6efed1fa4a

ICYMI: The new "Justice Microgrid" is up and serving the people of northern Uganda! This will power a legal aid center from BarefootLaw- Uganda and other crucial community resources.

Read more in Microgrid Knowledge:

Microgrid-Powered ‘LawBox’ Helps Ugandan Town’s Residents Settle Cow, Contract, Boundary and Other Disputes While most people view basic needs as food, shelter and water, access to legal services is also important. An off-grid solar microgrid in Uganda is helping residents of a village...

"Change is possible, and Bala is the blueprint." A new microgrid brings electricity to the rural community of Bala, Uganda.

In partnership with BarefootLaw- Uganda, the initiative explores the ways in which energy can improve equality and justice in under-electrified regions.

Justice Microgrid to power free legal support for rural Ugandans
https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/pv_solar/justice-microgrid-to-power-free-legal-support-20240531

The "Justice Microgrid" is officially complete! This solar-electric system, located in Bala, Uganda, will power:

⚡ The BarefootLaw- Uganda "LawBox," a community center in which people can receive free legal support

⚡ Municipal buildings, including the courts, town council, community development office, and more

⚡ Streetlighting around the town center and surrounding walkways

This project aims to create a fully electrified justice ecosystem that works for everyone, regardless of income, gender, age, or other factors.

Justice Microgrid to Power Free Legal Support for Rural Ugandans | Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) A new solar installation electrifies justice center, courts, town hall, and more.

Least-developed countries received only 1.15% of investment in 2015-2022 (source: International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

We can't build a sustainable future by only inviting wealthy countries to the table.

Energy justice for all. ⚡

Through the solar cooking program, 23-year-old Mukhoda Specioza has learned to bake bread, dehydrate produce, and more with Lytefire solar ovens. She now sells her goods and earns enough income to support herself and her family. 👨🏾‍👩🏾‍👦🏾🍞

Learn more about the program: https://www.self.org/powering-womens-entrepreneurship/

New report from 60 Decibels. ⚡ Why off-grid energy matters - key insights:

➡️ Rural, low-income people are the most underserved by the energy sector

➡️ Off-grid solar can significantly improve health, safety, & access to information

➡️ More work is needed to foster locally-led and women-led enterprises

Read more on NextBillion.net: https://tinyurl.com/2bk5xw5r

DYK: 1/3 of the world's food is grown by small-scale farmers 👩🏾‍🌾

By equipping off-grid farms with solar-powered irrigation, we can help them increase yields and feed their communities 🌎🌾

People and planet can thrive together. 🌍👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏾 We're committed to expanding access to solar power—for schools, health clinics, small businesses, and more. Because the energy transition is for all of us.

Support solar this Earth Day: tinyurl.com/3vywe5k4

Renewables for all ✊🏽 Ahead of Earth Day, let's stand for a healthier planet and an energy transition that leaves no one behind. Who's with us?

📸 Pictured: Residents of Bukyerimba, Uganda pointing at a new solar-powered streetlight.

Of all the causes to support this Earth Day, why solar? Because solar fights climate change and helps unelectrified communities break the cycle of poverty, once and for all.

Why your donation goes further: https://www.self.org/articles/support-solar-this-earth-day/

Support Solar this Earth Day Of all the causes to donate to this Earth Day, why support solar-powered initiatives? The answer is simple.

That's a wrap! At Solar and Storage Live USA, industry experts shared exciting developments and initiatives in the solar energy space. SELF's executive director, Bob Freling, spoke on energy poverty and the importance of an inclusive energy transition.

Nearly one billion people still lack access to basic electricity today. Solar has the capacity to bring these people online—improving quality of life, all while fighting climate change.

The solutions are there. It's time to make them accessible to all. Only then can we can build a truly sustainable future. 🌍🌱

SELF's executive director, Bob Freling, is in Texas today to witness the total solar eclipse, and to advocate for expanding access to solar power globally. ⚡️

On eclipse day, will you help unelectrified communities tap into the power of the sun? Give now to change lives: tinyurl.com/3vywe5k4

Will you give $24 in honor of the 2024 solar eclipse? ☀️🌑

On 4/8, as the sky goes dark, we're reminded just how much we depend on our local star.

Let's come together and help unelectrified communities leverage the power of the sun. Give now: tinyurl.com/3vywe5k4

Fact or fiction? Renewable energy is better at withstanding extreme weather events.

FACT. According to the United Nations, renewables like solar power make us MORE resilient to extreme weather and its impacts 🌍