Panasonic to contribute 100,000 solar lanterns

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Panasonic Corporation has extended its 100,000 solar lanterns program to India. The project envisages delivery of solar LED lights to the developing nations in Africa and Asia regions.

The company plans to allocate 5,000 solar lanterns to off-grid areas in India during the current fiscal.

The company, as a part of initiative, is giving solar lanterns to NGOs that include World Health Partners, Sahaj and Plan International India. These lanterns include USB to charge mobile devices and have 16-hours batters life.

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) joint secretary Tarun Kapoor said that 33 per cent of households in India burn kerosene. "Energy access is a major challenge and solar is a source that can be utilized to facilitate power in rural India," he said.

The need, Kapoor said, is to develop low-cost lanterns in India. The government has floated a tender recently to procure 600,000 solar lanterns. "With Lithium-ion battery in addition to subsidy, prices could come down to Rs 800 per unit," he added.

Panasonic CSR and Corporate Citizenship Group GM Michiko Ogawa said that they aim to be on top in green innovation company in the electronics industry. In order to mark 100th anniversary in 2018, company endeavor to offer environment-friendly products and is investing in society.

"We utilize our technologies and leverage it in energy conservation in developing countries," Ogawa said. These, she said include Life Innovation Container and Solar LED lantern. The program will run through 2018, with a contribution of 10,000 lanterns during this year.