Corporate social responsibility

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At PROINSO, we believe solar energy is on a path to become central to powering our homes and businesses. We aim to be at the forefront of this energy revolution. Solar Energy Solidarity started in 2011 as a solidarity initiative, carried out by PROINSO, to embrace corporate social responsibility and commit to providing off-grid communities with the technical tools to use solar power as a source of clean energy. Solar Energy Solidarity is aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to empower communities worldwide. Our goal is to create tangible, measurable impact in diverse areas in alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Impact relative to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals x

Good health and well-being x

The World Bank estimates that there are 780 million women and children breathing kerosene fumes, inhaling the equivalent of smoking two packs of cigarettes a day. Kerosene lamps increase the risk of fire and often result in severe burns. We partnered with NameneSolar Light Company to bring affordable SM100 solar lights to underprivileged rural and off-grid communities. In partnership with NGOs in Africa (Aluwani, Mercy Ministries) and Asia (One Million Lights), we implemented fundraising campaigns that resulted in donations of solar lights in Madagascar, South Africa, and the Philippines.

Quality education x

Extended hours of study time at home, as well as in schools, are a crucial advantage for young people in communities with limited or non-existent power supplies. Additional lighting at home can directly improve a child’s performance at school and later success in life. Our portable, mini-PV SM100 solar lights, designed for personal use, are one way of achieving this. PROINSO also supports university research – we donated solar equipment to 16 United World Colleges (UWC) to assist students in comparing renewable energy data from different parts of the world.

Affordable and clean energy x

According to the International Energy Agency, over 1.1 billion people across the world still lack any electricity supply. Our off-grid and community solar projects help improve the living conditions of people in areas without access to electricity. One such project, our installation in Kepulauan Riau, Indonesia has won the Solar+ Power Award for Rural Electrification. Most recently, our mini-grid project in East Sumba, Indonesia brought electricity to over 900 households and public facilities, and won the 2018 Solar Power Portal Award in the category “Community Solar Installation of the Year”.

Decent work and economic growth x

Strengthening the informal sector by engaging young people and aspiring entrepreneurs in enterprise development is one way to contribute to community development. Solar Energy Solidarity works in partnership with aspiring NGOs, entrepreneurs, and sports organisations to educate and inspire local communities in underprivileged areas. We have supported youth and community development through various sponsorships, such as the Indian Rugby Union and Tondu RFC in South Wales, UK.

Climate action x

By deploying solar energy and promoting renewables, we reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to the worldwide climate change mitigation and environmental protection efforts. According to the EPA’s e-Grid emission metrics, each MWh of solar electricity offsets approximately 555kg of CO2 emissions per year. Moreover, each kerosene lamp replaced with solar light offsets 370 kg of CO2 per year.

Partnerships for the goals x

PROINSO’s business strategy is based on global experience and local expertise. We see these as the keys to successfully deploy and operate projects while enhancing local capabilities and local revenue retention. We have worked in partnership with leading blue-chip companies, governments, and NGOs to bring projects to life around the globe. Moreover, we carefully select our supply partners based on their supply chain transparency, ethical treatment of workers, and responsible manufacturing practices that strive to minimise their carbon footprint.

SM100 Solar Light x

  • LED lighting: 0.5 W white blue LED
  • Battery: 4+ hours at 30 lumens or 10+ hours at a constant 10 lumens
  • Brightness: 30 lumens – 3 times brighter than kerosene
  • Integrated solar panel: 4 V, 75 mA polycrystalline
  • Certification: CE certified, PVoC, Lighting Global Product Quality verification pending
  • Warranty: 2 years

SIZE & WEIGHT

  • 165 x 105 x 74mm (with stand)
  • 143.5 x 105 x 74mm (with stand and tilted down)
  • Weight: 122g (including packaging)
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Recent CSR projects x

Project name: Madagascar Library
Location: Morondava, Madagascar
Implementing partner: Mercy Ministries

The lack of sufficient schools and quality education in Morondava motivated local NGOs to build 12 schools over the last six years and secure funding for food for 1,200 underprivileged children on a daily basis. This project secured funds for 100 solar-powered lamps, which have been made available for use at the library and donated to the most underprivileged students of “Trinity Akininy” School. The project’s goal was to enhance education by prolonging study hours at night in communities without access to electricity.

Project name: Ga-Dikgale communities
Location: Limpopo, South Africa
Implementing partner: Aluwani Foundation

This corporate philanthropy project was launched at the Solar Show Africa 2017 in Johannesburg. Each purchase of a product contributed to the donation of a single unit to orphans in Ga-Dikgale communities in Limpopo, South Africa. The initiative was implemented with the support of Aluwani, a non-governmental organisation that provided childcare facilities and support to over 3,500 orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa. The project aims to mitigate health and safety risks by replacing expensive and hazardous kerosene lamps, while allowing children to safely study after dark.

Project name: Indian Rugby sponsorship
Location:  India

Implementing partner: Indian Rugby Football Union

PROINSO sponsored the Indian Rugby Union’s community development program. Rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in India, with over 44,000 players involved in the sport across the country. The sponsorship deal supported the IRFU in its efforts to grow the game and spread awareness of its development programme, which promotes the sport at the grassroots level with engagement across schools, colleges, and the wider community. “Partnerships with leading international brands like SocieteGenerale, Puma, PROINSO and Heineken will serve as a great platform for Rugby to reach out to the country’s large, diverse population.” said William Glenwright, GM Asia and Oceania, World Rugby.

Project name: Tondu RFC sponsorship
Location:  South Wales, UK

Implementing partner: Tondu RFC

PROINSO proudly sponsored Tondu RFC, having observed their strong commitment to community and youth development. This led to Tondu RFC winning of the “Community Club of the Year Award” by Ospreys Rugby. Joe Davies, WRU Rugby Coordinator – Ospreys West, said, “Across Ospreylia we have so many fantastic clubs, and people who work tirelessly to keep them going. It was a tough job to narrow them down but Tondu RFC stood out to the judges for how far they have come. From a very tough time in their history they have worked so hard to get back on track both on field and off field. Their efforts to become sustainable whilst also providing quality rugby and teams for all ages means they are worthy winners of this brand new award.”

Project name: SM100 SOLAR LIGHT donation to Siasikabole Primary School
Location:  Choma District in Zambia

Implementing partner: SunnyMoney

In December 2018 our partner Namene Solar Light Company launched their 2nd generation SM100 SOLAR LIGHT. PROINSO participated in a charity auction at the event and won. Proceeds were used to donate 100 units of SM100 SOLAR LIGHTS to a primary school in Zambia. Some of the SM100 SOLAR LIGHTS were distributed to students who live very far away and have to walk in the dark, while others were left at the school to let the students who live close by study in the evening using the lights. Mudenda Loyce, Head Teacher at the Siasikabole Primary School, said, “On behalf of the pupils, teachers, community and indeed on my own behalf I say once more thank you very much. Believe you me that this Donation will go a long way in improving learner performance hence we will have a learned community who later will uplift the standard of living.”

Project name: One hundred homes lighted on the island of Marinduque
Location:  Island of Marinduque, Philippines

Implementing partner: One Million Lights Philippines

Thanks to the collaboration between PROINSO and Namene Solar, and the coordination of the NGO One Million Lights Philippines, more than one hundred Filipino families living in extreme poverty were able to enjoy the lighting in their homes last year on the island of Marinduque. A population that is difficult to access, with very harsh living conditions, which thanks to this donation will provide its inhabitants with warmer and safer nights.

Project name: The Jungle School Project
Location:  Palawan, Philippines

Implementing partner: One Million Lights Philippines

Thanks to the collaboration between PROINSO and Namene Solar, the NGO One Million Lights Philippines provided solar-powered lights to students of the Jungle School, an indigenous school in Palawan. The school is located in an extremely remote area of Palawan. Due to its location, the only reliable form of transportation to and from is via helicopter. The Jungle School Project hopes to continue opening other “jungle” schools in isolated communities.

Our CSR partners x

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