LIGHT UP THE FUTURE - Addressing Challenges in Emerging and Developing Countries - Corporate Citizenship Activities - Sustainability

The "LIGHT UP THE FUTURE" PROJECT for off-grid areas LIGHT UP THE FUTURE

Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic and inventor of the two-way socket that brought electricity to Japanese society, approached management from a global perspective.

Konosuke would lament the disparities and inequalities that exist in today's world. Many areas around the globe still are in need of illumination by electric light.

Konosuke Matsushita used to enlighten employees who were unhappy polishing light bulbs. Children can't study at night if it's dark, right? You're not polishing light bulbs. You're putting a shine on children's dreams!

Let's connect with that vision and
make the dreams of the world's children shine.

Konosuke Matsushita,
the founder of Panasonic
and inventor of the two-way socket
that brought electricity to
Japanese society,
approached management
from a global perspective.

Konosuke would lament the disparities
and inequalities that exist in today's world.
Many areas around the globe still are
in need of illumination by electric light.

Konosuke Matsushita used to
enlighten employees who were
unhappy polishing light bulbs.

Children can't study at night if it's dark, right? You're not polishing light bulbs. You're putting a shine on children's dreams!

Let's connect with that vision and
make the dreams of the world's children shine.

Over 100,000 solar lanterns have been donated to
off-grid areas!
And now we're going even further.

Over 100,000 solar lanterns have been donated to off-grid areas! And now we're going even further.

"LIGHT UP THE FUTURE" PROJECT
This project picks up where the project to donate 100,000 solar lanterns left off,
bringing light to areas that have no electricity using Panasonic's
renewable energy technology.
Working with partner organizations such as NPOs, NGOs and international groups,
support programs on the ground guide communities
toward sustainability and eliminate poverty by providing
opportunities for education, health, and increased income.

Main Items Donated

Solar Lantern

Eneloop Solar Storage

Photovoltaic and
Energy Storage System

Support Programs to Improve People’s Lives

Technical support is provided and opportunities are created for education,
health, and increased income.

Support Programs to Improve People’s Lives

Technical support is provided and opportunities are created for education,
health, and increased income.

Installation of
donated photovoltaic system

Technical support is provided

Children can study at night,
improving their academic performance

Light assists nighttime medical
examinations

Craftwork can also be done at night
to increase income

Vaccines can be kept refrigerated,
increasing doses available

Support is provided to improve people's lives
in various regions of the world.

The "LIGHT UP THE FUTURE" PROJECT is
changing lives in off-grid areas

Off-grid areas「No light(electricity)（Nostudying at night, No improvement in academic performance, No medical treatment at night, Can't maintain health）Can't get a good job Can't increase income Situation does not improve」, Lifestyle changes enabled by light from renewwable energy「Light（electricity）available（Can study at night, Academic performance improves Can see a doctor at night and keep vaccines refrigerated, Better medical care maintains health）Employment is obtained income increases Poverty is alleviated Sustainable living with light(electricity) is possible.」

It all started with a single letter.

People living in off-grid areas face health hazards caused by the black smoke from kerosene lamps. Panasonic’s solar cells can solve this problem. Please provide us with your support. Minister of State for the Vice President’s Office, Republic of Uganda

An initiative to replace dangerous kerosene lamps
with electric light from renewable energy was born
from that single letter sent by Uganda's Minister of State.
Between 2013 and 2018, we donated 100,000 solar lanterns to communities
in 30 countries in Asia and Africa.
They eliminated health issues and the danger of fire while reducing CO₂.
Electric lighting provides more time to study, allows medical treatment at night,
enables nighttime handicraft work,
and enlivens the community by making gatherings possible.

Changes Made Possible by Electric Light

Recipient: ARTIC　Region: Myanmar
Period: Feb. to Aug. 2016
Survey method: Household questionnaires

Recipient: Save the Children Japan
Region: Myanmar　Period: 2015-2017
Survey method: Estimate based on health authority figures

Test pass rate for promotion to next grade 57% → 100%

Recipient: Saetanar　Region: Myanmar
Period: 2015-2017
Survey method: School statistics

Recipient: CALICO　Region: India
Period: 2015-2017
Survey method: Interviews

How have solar lanterns improved people's lives?
We visited communities to hear what people have to say.

Users’ voices: Cambodia

Users’ voices: Myanmar

Users’ voices: India

Report

FY2018-FY2019 Off-Grid Solutions Activity Reports

An activity process was designed for each of three countries
and implemented over a two-year period

Since 2018, Panasonic has promoted the Off-Grid Solutions Project in villages in Indonesia, Myanmar,
and Kenya. To achieve the intended social impact of sustainable growth in communities,
we designed an activity process for each area that yielded a variety of results after two years of
implementation.

FY2018-FY2019 Off-Grid Solutions Activity Reports

An activity process was designed for each of three countries
and implemented over a two-year period

Since 2018, Panasonic has promoted the Off-Grid Solutions Project in villages in Indonesia, Myanmar,
and Kenya. To achieve the intended social impact of sustainable growth in communities,
we designed an activity process for each area that yielded a variety of results after two years of
implementation. Below are reports on the results and future plans for each of the three countries.