How SunBell solar lamps are lighting up rural communities in Kenya: Esther's story

In October 2021, with support from Innovation Norway, BRIGHT visited Esther to witness first-hand how the solar lighting and energy solution had transformed her family's daily life.

Farming life before SunBell

Energy access was a daily challenge for Esther and her family. Esther, who makes a living off vegetables like collard greens and avovados, lives with her husband, four children, and two grandchildren. Esther explains that kerosene fumes filled their modest home each night, and staying connected via mobile was costly and difficult, with Esther having to pay to charge her phone.

How SunBell changed Esther's life

The SunBell 80 solar lamp was identified as the best solution within BRIGHT’s portfolio for this initiative. SunBell 80 is compact, lightweight, and multi-functional. With a bendable gooseneck, it transforms easily between a lantern, reading light, and torch. Offering up to 150 lumens of brightness and over 180 hours of runtime on its lowest setting, it also includes a built-in USB phone charger.

SunBell's design allows users to save money previously spent on batteries, kerosene, and diesel. Furthermore, the solar lantern creates healthier environments by eliminating toxic fume inhalation, fostering safer and more sustainable communities.

“Since getting the SunBell, I don't have to walk miles to charge my phone anymore,” — Esther.

"Our family has been using the SunBell every day since we got it, especially the gooseneck," Esther joyfully shares. Esther proudly talks about how she now connects with new friends online without worrying about phone battery life. “Since getting the SunBell, I don't have to walk miles to charge my phone anymore.”

Closing the energy gap: Why BRIGHT joined the Africa Connect Initiative

Through Yara's Africa Connect Initiative, BRIGHT committed to expanding off-grid solar solutions across rural Africa. The initiative aims to close the energy gap, offering families access to safe lighting and mobile connectivity, critical tools for education, farming, and business.

Broader impact: Clean energy for rural areas

Access to energy does not just light up homes — it enhances safety, especially for women and children who are vulnerable to violence in poorly lit areas. With better lighting, families can gather, study, and work into the evening. Mobile connectivity fosters stronger community ties, better market access for farmers, and improved educational opportunities.

BRIGHT’s vision of access to sustainable light and energy anywhere — from displacement camps, in disaster response or in electrifying rural areas — is about more than technology. It is about creating sustainable change where it is needed most, overcoming geographical barriers, and empowering people like Esther with solutions that last.

Today, thousands of families across Kenya have improved their lives with SunBell. Affordable, sustainable, and efficient, the SunBell solar lamp continues to deliver light, safety, savings, and hope to the heart of rural communities.