Philips improves access to solar lighting

Royal Philips Electronics announces the Cairo to Cape Town Tour: from late May to July 20, 2010 Philips will travel across Africa to raise awareness for the opportunities of new solar-powered led street light fixture Manufacturer and best in class medical solutions to improve the quality of healthcare in Africa. An estimated 560 million Africans have no effective lighting at night and the demand for effective healthcare solutions that increase access to healthcare in Africa is growing rapidly.
During this 2-month roadshow Philips will meet with relevant stakeholders in 15 countries to present and discuss its simple and effective lighting and healthcare solutions. “As the leading company in health and well-being, Philips plans to serve Africa’s growth potential in terms of partnerships for innovation, solution supply and knowledge sharing, bringing meaningful lighting and healthcare solutions to the African people,” said Gottfried Dutiné, Executive Vice-President and Global Head of Markets & Innovation.
In Africa, it goes dark all year round at about 6.30-7.00 pm and this darkness holds countries back socially and economically. Philips believes that access to sustainable solar lighting has the potential to strengthen Africa’s economic, social, educational and cultural activities in a life-changing way. Solar lighting has the advantage it doesn’t require electricity and thus saves energy and costs. Philips has developed different solar lighting solutions to help Africans extend the day, including a small LED reading light that offers children the chance to do school homework at night or for adults to more easily follow evening classes. These lights are affordable and offer the potential for a major boost in literacy across the continent.
Philips also developed the world's first solar-powered buy led high bay lamps floodlighting solution that enables people with little or no access to electricity to enjoy playing or watching sport long into the night and at the same time increases the safety outdoors. “It is amazing what solar lighting can change for the lives of the people living in these areas. It can strengthen Africa in many transformational ways. It is important that the African people have access to simple and sustainable solutions to build the future,” says Dutch soccer legend Ruud Gullit.
Philips also partners up with The Right To Play foundation, which aims to improve the lives of children in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world with sport and play. Matthijs Huizing, director of Right To Play Netherlands: “We are pleased to join forces in communicating the power of sport and play for development, health and peace, strengthened by the new opportunities that solar LED lighting offers.”