Olafur Eliasson’s solar light-based project Little Sun is a work of art that works in life. With Little Sun, light becomes a vehicle to affect change in the everyday lives of people across the globe, providing a way to live independently outside the electrical grid system. Eliasson worked with engineer Frederik Ottesen to develop the Little Sun solar LED lamp in order to get clean, affordable light to the 1.2 billion people worldwide without electricity, living in ‘off-grid’ areas. Little Sun is at once a global project, a social business, and a way of connecting the world through sharing light while making solar energy accessible to everyone.
In off-grid areas the portable solar lamps supply a clean alternative to toxic and unsafe fuel-based lighting like kerosene lanterns, the smoky emissions of which cause users significant health problems. Switching from kerosene to Little Sun light at night means children can study, families can cook together, businesses can remain open, and people can socialise – safely. While promoting health, access to clean light increases productivity and enhances quality of life.
Designed in close dialogue with users in Ethiopia, Little Sun is the first solar lamp to incorporate aesthetic and practical feedback from off-grid African regions. The Ethiopian meskel flower, a national symbol of positivity and beauty, inspired the lamp’s unique design.
Little Sun is sold not only in off-grid areas, but around the world. The distribution system establishes an important connection between disparate regions: in countries with electricity, every Little Sun sold delivers one Little Sun to an off-grid African community at a locally affordable price.
As a social business, Little Sun handles its distribution in a sustainable way that benefits off-grid communities, creates local jobs, and generates local profits. Little Sun works with off-grid entrepreneurs to build their own small businesses selling Little Sun lamps, providing them with business starter kits and micro-entrepreneurial training.
An accessible introduction to the functions of solar energy made easy and personal, Little Sun is a tool educating users about energy access, utilising natural resources, and how individual action can make a global impact.
Description
- A high-quality, portable solar lamp featuring a dimmer
- Five hours of charging in the sun produces more than 50 hours of light at the dimmest setting or four hours at the brightest setting
- Battery lifespan of five years when used daily
- Extremely robust and durable – perfect for outdoor activities and playtime
- ROHS and ISO-certified for quality and consistency in production standards
Unique features
- Designed by artist Olafur Eliasson
- A great eco-friendly gift
- Comes with a lanyard and story booklet in a beautifully-designed box
- A fun, accessible introduction to the benefits of solar power and sustainable energy
- Kids love Little Sun: as a nightlight, for playtime, and to discover the power of the sun
- A handy tool for travel, camping, and more outdoor activities
Technical Specifications
Charging & Use: To charge, place the Little Sun lamp in the sun with its solar panel facing upwards. Press once for bright light and twice to turn off. Hold button down to activate dimmer function.
Battery: AA LiFePO4, 3.2V rechargeable battery with 500 mAh
Weight: 96g
Dimensions: Diameter 12 cm, depth 2.9 cm
Main Body: Manufactured in recyclable ABS, highly weather and UV resistant
Solar Panel: 60 x 60 mm monocrystalline solar panel made from highly efficient SunPower solar cells
Switch: Knitter-switch TSS 61 R LF with fluorescent silicone boot; advanced energy-saving dimming technology
LED: Samsung. Colour: 4500K (warm light)
Light Output: Charging Little Sun Original for a minimum of five hours in the sun gives you four hours of bright light (20lm); or, use the dimmer to get the most out of your Little Sun (up to 50 hours or more at lowest level, 2 lm).