SunBell

1,3 billion people live in areas without electricity around the world, especially in Africa, Asia and South America. Many of them are refugees, dependent on humanitarian aid, and use harmful and dangerous kerosene lantern or candles as their only source of light.

Quick and easy charging

This sparked off an idea from K8 Industridesign in 2009, which led founder and designer Marius Andresen to start up solar product company Bright Products with Kristian Bye in 2011, and after years of testing and developing, the solar panel lamp SunBell was launched in 2014.

Allowing quick and easy charging in just 4-6 hours, SunBell can be used for up to 130 hours either as a lantern, reading light, room light or a flexible torch. It has several light modes, including an emergency strobe light and can also charge phones with a USB cable.

Helping over 10 million people

Soon after it was launched, the UN Refugee Agency added SunBell to its list of basic needs and has since bought over 2,5 million lamps (figures from 2019).

Providing a source of light in refugee camps that were mostly dark after sunset, SunBell has brought many positive results. It has given young refugees a chance to continue or start their education and ensured safety for women by reducing the risk of assaults and rape when going to the toilet or being outside after dark.

It is believed that each lamp impacts over 4 people and that SunBell, therefore, has helped over 10 million people in areas without electricity. Read more about how SunBell is used in refugee camps.

Reducing health risks and greenhouse gas emissions

As an environmentally friendly energy source, SunBell also has other benefits. According to a report, the SunBell solar lamp has replaced 1.9 million lighting units such as kerosene lanterns, candles and battery torches. The risk of respiratory infections and carbon monoxide poisoning caused by the toxic kerosene damps is thereby reduced drastically. Using the SunBell has essentially reduced greenhouse gas emissions in one year with 1.4 tonnes.

Award-winning

In recognition of all its positive impact, the lamp has won several design awards including the Norwegian Award for the Design Excellence from DOGA, If Design Award 2015 and the IDA Award. SunBell’s multifunctionality and use of appealing materials and colour choices have made it a success in other markets too, such as for nature-loving Norwegians camping outdoors overnight.