The Rehoboth Group yesterday launched a range of solar powered lights, which company representatives said will be aimed primarily at improving the lives of those in rural areas.
Under its d.light solar subsidiary, the local company will be importing the solar lights from the US-based D.light Design. According to Chief Executive Officer of the company Dale Browne, the company aims to bring families into prosperity, globally. In partnership with the international company D.Light Design, Rehoboth Group will join the goal of improving 100 million lives by 2020.
“Guyanese will be able to have access to safe, bright and renewable lighting thanks to the vision of the D.Light founders,” Browne opined.
The products vary from the $3,500 ultra-portable model to the entire home solar system, valued at $55,000. During a company demonstration, some of the models were able to charge cellular phones at the same rate as electricity.
Christopher Jacques, Chief Operations Officer, noted that solar energy is greatly underutilised in Guyana and he stated that the lights will be aimed primarily at improving the lives of those in rural areas, particularly students living in homes without electricity and labourers in the mining communities. The importance of the solar products to miners was greatly emphasised, especially since the cost of fuel in far-lying areas is much more expensive than that in urban zones.
The products will offer a myriad of benefits, including increased savings, health, and improved educational results from students. Though solar energy-run products are nothing new, Jacques said, D.Light’s products stood out in a number of areas, including their versatility, affordability, and rugged design. Jacques also pointed out that each model carried a two-year warranty and were also maintenance-free.
Via Skype, Larry Hibbard, Regional Business Manager of the Americas and Europe, revealed the company’s goal of 100 million improved lives by 2020 was already one-third of the way completed with almost 30 million persons having already impacted as of January 31, 2014.
Since its inception in 2004, the company has also provided over 7 million school-aged children with solar lighting and has saved over $900M in energy-related expenses.
Vanessa Stoby, a mother of five and a user of the D.Light products, encouraged Guyanese to get onboard and support the Rehoboth Group.
The woman revealed that though she lived in a developed area, she had no electricity and had been using a kerosene lamp during the nights. The lamp’s soot, she added, would sully the walls of her home and affect her children.
“The lights have greatly improved my life; it’s been a great d.light for me,” Stoby laughingly said. Browne said that the company was already working with a number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including mining associations, to provide a more direct sales strategy for outlying areas. Browne also emphasised that the company was open to partnerships with companies, including the Guyana Power & Light Company (GPL).
