Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
post

“Panasonic has launched a “Cut Out the Darkness” project to deliver solar lanterns and shades to non-electrified regions”

- Advertisement -

panasonic cut darknessThursday, January 16, 2014: “Panasonic Corporation has launched a “Cut Out the Darkness” project to deliver solar lanterns and shades to non-electrified regions.” With a built-in rechargeable battery to store solar energy during the day, the lantern provides light at night and can also be used as a power source to charge small mobile devices, such as mobile phones. The company plans to bring the lantern to regions without electricity, starting from Asia and Africa in December this year. The functions of the BG-BL03 Solar LED Lantern, such as 360-degree illumination and a charging time of approximately 6 hours(1), make it practical and convenient for everyday use in these areas.

Official campaign site: http://cotd.panasonic.net/

About 1.3 billion people(2), or approximately 20(2) of the world’s population, are still living without electricity. Many of these people use kerosene lamps for lighting. However, kerosene lamps not only fail to provide sufficient light but also emit toxic fumes and pose a fire risk. In addition, there are also problems with the infrastructure for charging mobile phones, which have become a popular communication tool in areas without electricity.

Panasonic’s new Solar LED Lantern, with a 3.5-watt output solar panel and a USB port, offers a clean and safe alternative as a light source as well as a power source for people living in areas without electricity. The portable lantern can be used in homes and various other locations including hospitals, schools, shops and outdoors. The lantern can be charged in about six hours to provide up to six hours of light(3) at the maximum brightness setting.

- Advertisement -

The Solar LED Lantern will be launched in Kenya, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Malaysia, followed by other countries. Starting with the solar lantern, its first product for BOP*4 markets, Panasonic will continue to accelerate the development of BOP markets and strengthen product development to help improve the lives of people in regions without electricity.

Last year, as part of its corporate citizenship activities, Panasonic launched the “100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project”, with the goal of donating a total of 100,000 solar electric lights(5) to people in regions of the world without electricity by 2018, the 100th anniversary of the company’s founding, through local social institutions including NPOs and NGOs.

(1) Estimated time for fully charging a completely discharged battery outdoors on a sunny day. Charging time will vary depending on factors such as the remaining battery level and ambient temperature.

(2) IEA World Energy Outlook, 2012

(3) Estimated time when used at room temperature with the battery fully charged. Battery duration will depend on factors such as ambient temperature and the brightness setting.

(4) BOP refers to the Base of the Pyramid, the low-income group in developing countries. BOP markets are unique in that companies can contribute to solving social problems in these markets while pursuing improvement in their business value by developing business in these markets.

(5) In 2012, the first year of the project, Panasonic donated compact solar lights, instead of solar lanterns. The compact solar light has an LED light and a solar panel integrated in one unit and is rechargeable via a USB port. (Sold in Japan only)

Features

1. Light suitable for everyday life with 360-degree illumination

The lantern contains five LEDs and is designed to emit light 360 degrees. This wide emission angle makes it suitable for use in everyday life such as at family dinners and for children studying. With a touch of button on the lantern, the brightness can be adjusted between High (100 lx), Medium (40 lx) and Low (6 lx). The lantern has a handle, which allows for flexibility in setting up the light. It can be hung in the room, placed on a table or carried with the user.

2. A 3.5 W solar panel which recharges the battery in approximately 6 hours, giving 6 hours of use

The Solar LED Lantern is designed to be fully charged in one day and last one night so that it is useful for everyday life in areas without electricity. With a 3.5 W solar panel, the lantern’s built-in battery can be fully charged in appoximately six hours under fine weather conditions. When fully charged, the battery run time is approximately six hours on High setting, about 15 hours on Medium and roughly 90 hours when set at Low(4).

3. Power source for mobile phones with a USB port

The Solar LED Lantern has a USB port, via which small devices such as mobile phones can be charged. A mobile phone with a 700mAh capacity battery can be fully charged in approximately two hours(6). The fully-charged lantern can provide enough power to charge such a mobile phone once or twice(6).

(6) Estimated by Panasonic assuming an output of 6.5V/0.5A. Actual charging time and the number of possible charges will vary depending on such factors as ambient temperature and the type of mobile phone.

4. IP34(7)- rated protection against dust and water

The Solar LED Lantern can be used safely in the rain, as it comes with an ingress protection rating of IP34(7) set by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for dust and water resistance.

The Solar LED Lantern has been awarded the Good Design Award 2013, which is organized by Japan Institute of Design Promotion, and the IAUD Award 2013 which is organized by International Association for Universal Design.

(7) Protected against solid objects, like tools and wires, greater than 2.5 mm in diameter or thickness as well as water spray from any direction. The lantern is not protected against submersion in water.


Website for 100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project:http://panasonic.net/sustainability/en/lantern/

- Advertisement -

Most Popular Articles

Mitul Shah Joins Google To Lead Pixel Expansion

0
Eyeing Pixel's growth and manufacturing in India, there was a new appointment at Google recently. Mitul Shah, ex-Apple India sales leader joined to lead...
US Chip Manufacturing

US Commerce Department To Grant $60Mn Awards To BAE Systems And Rocket Labs

0
Secretary Gina Raimondo stated that under Biden's CHIPS Act, they would like to finalize as many awards as possible before President Trump begins his...
Chip Design in India

Kaynes Semicon, 7 Rays Semiconductors Inks Pact To Enhance Chip Design And Packaging

0
The partnership will deliver cutting-edge custom system-on-chip design solutions tailored to emerging technologies in various sectors. Kaynes Semicon and 7 Rays Semiconductors are thrilled to...

Hesai To Cut Lidar Prices By Half, Expects Broad Electric Car Adoption

0
David Li, the Chief Executive, stated in an interview that the industry is advancing to a phase where millions of cars sold each year...

Sateliot, Eseye Join Forces For Global IoT Connectivity Solutions

0
Partnering to ensure seamless coverage in even the most remote locations utilising 3GPP Rel.17 standard, Eseye and Sateliot are set to revolutionise global IoT...
Andy C Mackie, Principal Engineer - Advanced Materials, Indium Corporation

“Our Multi-Alloy System Enables Solder Joints To Form At Lower Processing Temperatures Without Sacrificing...

0
Liquid metal-based thermal solutions offer efficient cooling but face challenges like spillage and thermal resistance in ultra-thin layers. Akanksha Sondhi Gaur and Nijhum Rudra...
S.K. Yadav of RIGOL Technologies

“Our India Business Is $2 Million, With A Goal To Reach $6 Million” –...

0
In a chat with EFY’s Nitisha, S.K. Yadav of RIGOL Technologies highlights the company’s journey in India, shedding light on its growth prospects and...
Bejoy George, Managing Director- Chipmax Designs Private Limited,

“We Are Advancing R&D Projects To Develop Modular Assembly Lines With Adaptive Robotics” –...

0
How do you envision technological progressions influencing the future of manufacturing operations? Get informed from Electronics for You’s Akanksha while in dialogue with Bejoy...
Srinivas Parikshith, Co-founder of Auckam Technologies

“We Anticipate Turnover Reaching 40 Million Rupees Next Year With The New Product Line”...

0
Discussing the electronics manufacturing sector, Srinivas Parikshith, Co-founder of Auckam Technologies, talked to EFY’s Nitisha Dubey about their expansion plans to set up a...

“We Bring Intelligence Early On Into The Design Cycle” – Michel Van Cotthem VP...

0
With a solution embedding intelligence early in the design-to-source lifecycle, Supplyframe aims to leverage India’s electronics manufacturing boom. At IEW 2024, Michel Van Cotthem...

HKTDC Electronics Fair Sparks Innovation, 60,000+ Participants!

0
Showcasing cutting-edge tech, global innovation, and booming markets for the future of electronics, HKTDC’s Hong Kong Electronics Fair and electronicAsia drew 60,000+ professionals. Last month,...
Applied Materials Representational Image

Applied Materials Selects Six Startups For Deep-Tech Accelerator Programme

0
The selected deep-tech startups will be evaluated for investment by Applied Ventures and potential collaboration opportunities with Applied Materials. In collaboration with the company's India...

Space tech Startup Akash Secures $68M CHIPS Funding

0
Eyeing to power into AI, EVs, and more high-tech industries, Akash Systems lands $68 million CHIPS grant to boost its cooling tech facility, generating...

Wireless Light-Based Communication With Velmenni’s Technology

0
Velmenni is at the forefront of wireless communication innovation with its pioneering light-based technologies, Li-Fi and LC Link. Founded by Deepak Solanki in October 2014...

Harnessing AI Technology For Efficient Pest Management

0
AI-Genix, an agri-tech startup, is transforming pest management for farmers through advanced AI-enabled systems that precisely target harmful pests. In an industry where pesticides and...

Industry's Buzz

Mitul Shah Joins Google To Lead Pixel Expansion

0
Eyeing Pixel's growth and manufacturing in India, there was a new appointment at Google recently. Mitul Shah, ex-Apple India sales leader joined to lead...
US Chip Manufacturing

US Commerce Department To Grant $60Mn Awards To BAE Systems And Rocket Labs

0
Secretary Gina Raimondo stated that under Biden's CHIPS Act, they would like to finalize as many awards as possible before President Trump begins his...
Chip Design in India

Kaynes Semicon, 7 Rays Semiconductors Inks Pact To Enhance Chip Design And Packaging

0
The partnership will deliver cutting-edge custom system-on-chip design solutions tailored to emerging technologies in various sectors. Kaynes Semicon and 7 Rays Semiconductors are thrilled to...

Hesai To Cut Lidar Prices By Half, Expects Broad Electric Car Adoption

0
David Li, the Chief Executive, stated in an interview that the industry is advancing to a phase where millions of cars sold each year...

Sateliot, Eseye Join Forces For Global IoT Connectivity Solutions

0
Partnering to ensure seamless coverage in even the most remote locations utilising 3GPP Rel.17 standard, Eseye and Sateliot are set to revolutionise global IoT...

Learn From Leaders

Andy C Mackie, Principal Engineer - Advanced Materials, Indium Corporation

“Our Multi-Alloy System Enables Solder Joints To Form At Lower Processing Temperatures Without Sacrificing...

0
Liquid metal-based thermal solutions offer efficient cooling but face challenges like spillage and thermal resistance in ultra-thin layers. Akanksha Sondhi Gaur and Nijhum Rudra...
S.K. Yadav of RIGOL Technologies

“Our India Business Is $2 Million, With A Goal To Reach $6 Million” –...

0
In a chat with EFY’s Nitisha, S.K. Yadav of RIGOL Technologies highlights the company’s journey in India, shedding light on its growth prospects and...
Bejoy George, Managing Director- Chipmax Designs Private Limited,

“We Are Advancing R&D Projects To Develop Modular Assembly Lines With Adaptive Robotics” –...

0
How do you envision technological progressions influencing the future of manufacturing operations? Get informed from Electronics for You’s Akanksha while in dialogue with Bejoy...
Srinivas Parikshith, Co-founder of Auckam Technologies

“We Anticipate Turnover Reaching 40 Million Rupees Next Year With The New Product Line”...

0
Discussing the electronics manufacturing sector, Srinivas Parikshith, Co-founder of Auckam Technologies, talked to EFY’s Nitisha Dubey about their expansion plans to set up a...

“We Bring Intelligence Early On Into The Design Cycle” – Michel Van Cotthem VP...

0
With a solution embedding intelligence early in the design-to-source lifecycle, Supplyframe aims to leverage India’s electronics manufacturing boom. At IEW 2024, Michel Van Cotthem...

Startups

HKTDC Electronics Fair Sparks Innovation, 60,000+ Participants!

0
Showcasing cutting-edge tech, global innovation, and booming markets for the future of electronics, HKTDC’s Hong Kong Electronics Fair and electronicAsia drew 60,000+ professionals. Last month,...
Applied Materials Representational Image

Applied Materials Selects Six Startups For Deep-Tech Accelerator Programme

0
The selected deep-tech startups will be evaluated for investment by Applied Ventures and potential collaboration opportunities with Applied Materials. In collaboration with the company's India...

Space tech Startup Akash Secures $68M CHIPS Funding

0
Eyeing to power into AI, EVs, and more high-tech industries, Akash Systems lands $68 million CHIPS grant to boost its cooling tech facility, generating...

Wireless Light-Based Communication With Velmenni’s Technology

0
Velmenni is at the forefront of wireless communication innovation with its pioneering light-based technologies, Li-Fi and LC Link. Founded by Deepak Solanki in October 2014...

Harnessing AI Technology For Efficient Pest Management

0
AI-Genix, an agri-tech startup, is transforming pest management for farmers through advanced AI-enabled systems that precisely target harmful pests. In an industry where pesticides and...