Every child has a right to education. Yet, the conditions in which a child can study are generally neglected, especially in rural India. Even today, 40% families in India use kerosene as the main source for lighting (Census 2011). Kerosene fumes that blow out of a kerosene lantern when studying at night is harmful to health and can cause damage to the lungs and eyes. What every child deserves is the right to clean light - that causes no harm, is renewable and affordable.

The specific objectives of the project “Localization of Solar Energy through Local Assembly, Sale and Usage of 1 Million Solar Urja Lamps (SoUL)” are:

• Localization in assembly, distribution and service of high quality study lamps
• Distribution of 1 Million SoULs to 1 Million students in rural India through the model of block saturation, in a time bound manner
• Research on the impact of solar technology on various socio-economic indicators at the grassroot level

The various outcomes expected of this project include:

• Improvement in attendance and performance of students in schools
• Reduction in school dropout rate and illiteracy
• Reduction in kerosene consumption
• Employment generation and entrepreneurship development
• Awareness about use and capability of solar photovoltaic technology and products

The total funds for this project is contributed by three partners: 36% from the National Clean Energy Funds (NCEP), Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Govt. of India; 40% from various philanthropic partners including State Governments, Trusts, Corporate Social Responsibilities, and Individuals; and 24% comes directly from the student beneficiaries. The total cost of the Solar Urja Lamp (SoUL) is Rs. 500 but student gets this lamp at student discounted price of Rs.120, the break-up of which is illustrated below: