Sanyo to Donate Rechargeable LED Lanterns to Bring Light to Regions without Electricity

Sanyo Electric Co. announced on September 15, 2009, that it has developed the "eneloop lantern", an LED lighting system that can generate electricity from sunlight for storage in a rechargeable battery, allowing the lights to be used later. At the same time, the company launched a project called "Bring 'Light' to areas with no electricity" on its website. Through this project, "eneloop lanterns" will be donated to the Republic of Uganda.

According to the 2008 Official Development Assistance (ODA) survey, the electrification rate in Uganda is about 20 percent in urban areas, but is only 4 percent in rural areas. The donated "eneloop lanterns," will therefore be used by children in rural areas to study at home. Sanyo had already donated 250 lantern sets and held a ceremony at Balibaseka Secondary School in the Kakiri sub-county of Wakiso district, Uganda, on September 14.

Using a solar charger equipped with solar cell technology (sold separately), the rechargeable lantern generates electricity and charges the built-in nickel-metal hydride battery. Featuring a one-watt, high-intensity LED light, the lantern can be used continuously for about 20 hours and its illumination parts can last for more than ten years.

Sanyo plans to begin selling the lanterns in October in Uganda, and will then expand its sales globally. The company also hopes to continue donating "eneloop lanterns" based on the accumulation of points by the members of its "Join the eneloop" community website.

Sanyo Releases Solar-Powered Battery Charger and Multi-Use Electric Hand Warmer (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/026598.html
SANYO to Donate eneloop lanterns to Uganda
http://sanyo.com/news/2009/09/15-1.html

Posted: 2009/12/28 06:00:15 AM