SolarBuddy Social STEM: Transforming Learning and Lives

With a focus on both inspiring agents of change and innovating solar energy solutions, SolarBuddy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing two pressing problems:   

1. Equity in STEM education. Youth in the US who are living with lower incomes (who are often disproportionately youth of color), do not have the same access to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education opportunities as their more affluent (more often white) peers, due to lower family and school district resources to access these programs. Disparities in access lead to a lack of equity, reducing our collective pipeline of future students pursuing STEM education and careers. STEM is crucial; these fields create innovation and advances that improve lives in many areas: health care, technology and food systems, to name a few. SolarBuddy wants all youth to have access to STEM education opportunities and see the practical applications that can change the world and see themselves as a potential part of that change. Our Social STEM Education Program is a connector of learning and civic action, and it has the potential to impact thousands of US students. Additionally, volunteers invited into the classrooms engage with the program and students, further role modeling civic action. Until recently we were focused on students in schools in Northern California that meet the criteria of Title I schools, using the commonly utilized metric of a high percentage of families qualifying for free- or reduced-lunch due to falling within the federal poverty guidelines, but we aim to offer this opportunity to all USA students, regardless of location. 

2. Solving the issue of energy poverty. Energy poverty is a complex global challenge that refers to the lack of access to modern energy. Approximately 800 million people worldwide have no access to electricity, instead using toxic and polluting forms of energy (such as kerosene, dung or scavenged wood), creating negative life outcome disparities for affected people and harm to the environment. The solar devices our Social STEM Education Program students build are sent to a peer living in energy poverty in a rural community we support via our in-country NGO partner network. Using our safe, portable, and reliable solar devices these peers can study longer, improve their health, charge their devices, save their families money on energy costs and provide clean solar energy for climate benefits.  Since launching in 2016, over 180,000 ‘JuniorBuddy’ solar lights have been provided to children globally, providing safe and reliable lighting to and impacting over 900,000 lives. The light is transformative, in that it: allows the child to study 78% longer, improving their educational outcomes; reduces exposure to toxic and dangerous fumes which has the potential to increase overall health of women and children by up to 60%; reduces a family’s average weekly expenditure on kerosene by 80%, improving the family’s financial security and safety; and offsets 1.28 tons of CO2 over 10 years, the equivalent to growing 21.3 tree seedlings over the same period. 

SolarBuddy’s Social STEM Education program now has a newly innovated solar lighting device – StudentBuddy. This has been designed to provide the functionality needed by a young adult living in energy poverty; it can be a ceiling-hung light, it has a flashlight and includes USB charging capabilities.  StudentBuddy’s modular design allows for easy part replacement should an element fail. This is essential to ensuring longevity of the StudentBuddy unit and for reducing waste, an ethos core to SolarBuddy’s sustainability principles. The modular design is also key to SolarBuddy’s Learn-Make-Illuminate model where US school students will receive the StudentBuddy in kit format, and as part of an immersive, hands-on, experiential Social STEM lesson in both science and civics, to be distributed to peers living in a region without reliable energy access. We deliberately champion this model as we believe it will spark compassion and civic action once people experience truly making a difference to another’s life. 

StudentBuddy production process will be upgraded in three phases. Phase 1 includes lighting, flashlight and USB charging. (This is available now, an improvement over the original JuniorBuddy product). Phase 2 will add a 3D printing element where US school students can 3D print accessories to add to the unit. Phase 3 will add a coding /programming of the light by US school students to streamline data capture and enable regular and direct reporting for monitoring and evaluation.  

StudentBuddy Product description:  

Recycled Paper Pulp Tray fits both the StudentBuddy light and solar panel kit. 

Solar Panel 

• All aluminium parts 100% recyclable 

• 100% repairable design 

• Lockable stand for floor or roof mounting 

• Cable management feature 

• Compact and lightweight design  

 Solar Light 

• Rugged and sustainably designed 

• Rechargeable 

• Power pack storage capabilities 

• Ability to attach to different stands 

• Enclosure rating to IP54 

• Materials UV stable for up to 5 years in full sun 

• All aluminium parts 100% recyclable 

• 100% repairable design  

Technical Specifications 

• Weight: 2 lbs per unit 

• Panel: 13.8in x 8.25in x 1.4in 

• Light: 14.75cmin x 2in x 1.7in 

• External 5.5W Solar Panel (poly) 

• 6.5 ft Solar Panel cable 

• DC Jack Input for Solar Panel up to 5.5V 

• Output for the LED Bar: 12/320 Lumen Light 

• Output for the flashlight: 150 Lumen Light 

• 3 Light settings: Low, High and Flashlight 

• IP64 Waterproof rated 

• Sun Exposure Protection 

• Up to 50 hours of light on low-mode 

• Up to 6 hours of light on high-mode 

• Up to 6 hours of light on torch-mode 

• 3000mAh 3.6V Lithium-Ion Battery 

• 4 to 5 Hours Solar Charge Time 

• USB 5V output port to charge other devices 

• 10 x Warm White LEDs 

• 1 x High-Power Natural White LED 

• 2 x RGB LEDs 

• Battery Charging Indicator 

• Battery OK and Low-Level Indicator 

• Low Battery Auto Shutdown 

• Overcharge and Over-Discharge Protections 

• Up to 1000mA Charging current 

• Up to 500mA USB output current 

• Over 6 months of standby battery charge 

SolarBuddy implements their Social STEM Education Program in historically underserved schools by partnering with funders who want to bring the program to schools motivated to offer the program but lacking the funding. Participating youth are provided an age-appropriate Social STEM experience tailored to elementary, middle or high schoolers. Through experiential, project-based learning, students build solar devices while they learn about the issue of energy poverty (a lack of access to reliable and safe energy and power), the science and global potential of renewable energy, and possible careers in STEM fields. Participants also grow their social emotional skills and empathy through the program’s focus on student collaboration, inter-cultural understanding, and creative and critical thinking while inspiring students to consider how innovative design solutions can transform lives. Junior Achievement (JA) USA has endorsed SolarBuddy’s programs and the curriculum has been co-developed for US students as an offering via JA’s school programs. Students assemble a solar device and write a letter to their peer receiving the light, a child living with energy poverty internationally.  The flexible curriculum and supplemental classroom resources can be easily implemented in a single classroom or an entire school.   

Additionally, students and their families living in energy poverty in rural communities internationally will benefit from the StudentBuddy light by receiving life transforming clean, safe and reliable solar devices, which include the functionality to charge, assembled by their peers in the US. Approximately 800 million people live in extreme energy poverty, and it impacts girls disproportionally: they are most likely to be removed from school to undertake menial jobs such as firewood collection or walking (or waiting) for hours to charge devices at community charging locations. The safe, reliable, clean renewable solar energy supplied by a StudentBuddy solar device offers: 

• light for a child to study after dark – without this, access for light to study is most often not prioritized over other family needs, 

• removes financial burden of paying for energy for lighting and charging so access to school supplies and health services is higher, and 

• with no toxic fumes burning eyes and throats, increased time to study is made possible, resulting in better grades and increased engagement with schooling. 

• enables charging of devices at home removing a common reason for non-attendance of school 

SolarBuddy is currently partnering with local NGOs to distribute lights in the following countries: Australia, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Cambodia, Madagascar, Tanzania, Nepal, Timor Leste, Zimbabwe, Dominican Republic and Kenya. Regina from Tanzania, a recipient of a SolarBuddy light told us, “My solar light has given me the motivation to read at night but also the courage to ask questions about things that I do not understand to my teachers. Before receiving my solar light, learning at home was challenging. The only flashlight I could use for homework was the same one my parents use for cooking and household chores. I am very grateful.”   

Founded in Australia, SolarBuddy is established as an independent 501(c)3 in the United States, and a registered charity in Belgium and The Netherlands, each with its own board and financial team. SolarBuddy is extremely well positioned to deliver this solution having worked for the past 7 years to streamline the logistics of assembling and delivering modular solar devices to both students engaging in our Social STEM education programs and also students in communities without reliable energy services access across the world.  

SolarBuddy works in partnership with Junior Achievement of Northern California to implement our Social STEM program across the 100+ Junior Achievement branches across the USA, and the network of tens of thousands of students. SolarBuddy also works with Junior Achievement APAC to deliver Social STEM programs in that region, has recently opened discussions with Junior Achievement Americas and similarly with Junior Achievement branches in Europe. Through this network we will inspire and engage with thousands of students and empower them to be agents of change. 

Hundreds of thousands of lights have been gifted to students living in energy poor communities in 20+ countries and over time we have improved our design from the initial JuniorBuddy to the even more innovative StudentBuddy. All SolarBuddy products focus on grassroots change and human-centered design with input from local people, educators, community leaders, and partnership with SolarBuddy's network of in-country NGOs from concept stage, prototype testing and with ongoing monitoring and evaluation.  

We are currently working with partners in the following countries: Australia, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Cambodia, Madagascar, Tanzania, Nepal, Timor Leste, Zimbabwe, Dominican Republic and Kenya. As the need for clean energy continues to grow, additional requests for support in these countries and many others, are received on an almost daily basis. We partner with in-country NGOs at each international program site because these organizations are community-based, working daily with local people to improve education, health and financial viability. This ensures local people are working with and helping local people, and that local languages, cultures and needs are always considered in SolarBuddy solutions. From years of engagement with local communities we understand the immense demand for energy solutions to enable youth to have light and energy to meet their educational needs.  

In addition to managing distributions of gifted solar systems, in-country NGOs also hire local people to monitor quality control for SolarBuddy solar devices prior distribution. Post-distribution they organize STEM lessons for children involving the SolarBuddy solar devices and keep in regular contact with children, families, schools and communities for ongoing monitoring and evaluation. All of these connection points build constant engagement between SolarBuddy and the communities we serve. 

We are applying to Solve because the goals of this challenge appear to be in strong alignment with our goals, indeed the call to teach and learn pathways to civic action is enshrined in our two overarching goals. SolarBuddy’s first goal is to gift millions of solar devices and the second goal, is to educate and inspire agents of change – we see these goals as equally important. Additionally we work with three key principles which are also in clear, strong alignment - education, sustainable innovation and connecting communities. 

We want to amplify our message of ‘bookend goodness.’ We want to inspire youth to consider how they can solve the most pressing issues facing humanity and the planet through the civic engagement of Social STEM education with a climate change, sustainability, global innovation focus. We also want to scale the use of our innovative solar devices in parts of the world that lack access to reliable energy to close the equity gap for youth living in rural communities lacking energy services and be part of solving the climate crisis. As we grow, we would like support with finding new markets and making further inroads with the countries with which we have existing relationships. We seek consultation with educators who share our passion for Social STEM, around navigating various international legal frameworks, assistance with engineering for our roadmap of innovative sustainable solutions and whilst not our only goal, we would like to make connections with funders who may have an interest in our work.  

StudentBuddy’s application of technology is extremely innovative, both in the StudentBuddy product itself and the delivery via Learn-Make-Illuminate. The requirements to create a modular product which results in a solution that will be transformative for the child living in energy poverty for over a decade, while ensuring the US students assembling the product are also learning, engaging and assembling the StudentBuddy correctly, needed thinking that pushed the boundaries of what is considered the norm. 

The experience of gifting a solar system you’ve assembled is extraordinary. The approach of engaging students in a classroom scenario that has long lasting, real life, measurable, impactful, sustainable end results will make for future generations of changemakers – all of whom understand the power of sustainable innovation. This immersive, innovative approach to STEAM, global citizenship and renewal energy will help determine the next generation of leaders and see them thrive. 

While there are other solar lights available to people living in energy poverty, SolarBuddy however is the only organization globally determined to prioritize light for children by gifting directly to the children, and simultaneously building a connected community with the generations of changemakers the world desperately needs now.

SolarBuddy plans to implement the StudentBuddy Learn-Make-Illuminate model in 500 US schools during the 2023-24 academic year. Our goal is to enable 50,000 students in the US to have the opportunity to assemble a StudentBuddy solar light, which translates to the gifting of 25,000 StudentBuddy solar systems to a peer living in energy poverty (StudentBuddy assembly is deliberately designed to be a collaboration between 2 students) 

Over the next five years the network of US schools will grow, each year compounding on the last as new students are offered the opportunity to participate. In 5 years, it is anticipated over 10,000 US schools will be participating, resulting in the learning engagement STEM opportunities for 1,000,000 US students and the gifting of 500,000 StudentBuddy solar systems to children living in extreme energy poverty. 

These impact goals will be achieved via mutually rewarding partnerships with education networks and associations, values aligned corporations who wish to invest in their local students and communities, and local school communities themselves, whilst additionally investing in the human capital of theSolarBuddy US team, marketing and technology infrastructure such as a new website. This model has already been proven in Australia and this proof of concept will now be adapted where necessary and successfully applied to the US market. 

SolarBuddy believes strongly in the inherent importance of both quantitative and qualitative data and already measures impact of SolarBuddy’s JuniorBuddy light both in-country and students participating in Learn-Make-Illuminate. It is through these measures that we know that one JuniorBuddy (the precursor to StudentBuddy) transforms the lives of 5 people on average. As StudentBuddy is a larger solar system with increased functionally, SolarBuddy expects the number of people impacted per StudentBuddy to be higher. JuniorBuddy current measures include quantitative data such as additional study hours (average 2 hours every night), financial change due to less output for energy (families currently save on average 16 weeks of income), and net carbon emissions (the equivalent of 21.3 tree seedlings grown for 10 years), and regular qualitative data in the form of images, videos and stories from the children, parents, community leaders and NGO partners. 

SolarBuddy measures the number of school students who participate in Learn-Make-Illuminate model and receives regular qualitative feedback from schools about the impact the program has had on their teacher and students. 

SolarBuddy also measures the number of people and organizations we partner with. As a participant to the UN Global Compact, SolarBuddy is passionate about the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aligns all our work to them. While all the SDGs are critical, SolarBuddy believes SDG #17 Partnerships for the Goals, is essential to deliver the transformational change required to end energy poverty as this goal is inclusive of all the elements of society that need to work together. SolarBuddy also measures the number of people and organizations we partner with.

See and hear from the children SolarBuddy serves 

Children at night studying with lights 

“We can study well now at home during the night” 

Apologies, the document is not uploading correctly. Please contact us for a digital copy of our Theory of Change. 

StudentBuddy solar systems are comprised of thoughtful design and manufacturing, both of which need to be exacting and sophisticated.  SolarBuddy plans to include VR into future versions of Learn-Make-Illuminate to facilitate bringing students even closer to understanding this global crisis  and for US students to be able to truly understand the impact StudentBuddy can make to a child living in extreme energy poverty.  

Additionally SolarBuddy utilizes a variety of digital technology - camera and videos, (drones are used when possible) for impact reporting and software technology to efficiently streamline delivery and management of Learn-Make-Illuminate and the subsequent global distributions of solar systems to partner NGOs and children living in extreme energy poverty. The focus on, and results delivered from technological solutions, enables the core SolarBuddy team to remain relatively small and agile. 

SolarBuddy also utilizes software and social technologies to connect and regularly communicate with our global community.

JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Commitment Statement: 

SolarBuddy is dedicated to minimizing historical, systematic, and institutional disparities and maximizing opportunities for all people, increasing access, building community participation and engagement, and reducing barriers to participation. SolarBuddy believes that to foster the values of justice, equity, diversity and inclusivity (JEDI) we must take into account the context of past history, current realities, and future outcomes. Our programs work to enable all people, particularly those who have been historically marginalized, with the social and economic resources essential to creating a more equitable society. 

What is your business model? 

SolarBuddy is a registered charity in Australia and the US and will be operating StudentBuddy Learn-Make-Illuminate from the US. 

Please see this document we provide to SolarBuddy's key customers, beneficiaries, programs and products 

An Introduction to SolarBuddy - Fighting Extreme Energy Poverty 

The SolarBuddy model is to enter into sponsorship agreements with corporations’ corporate philanthropy departments as well as other philanthropic funders with a shared passion for equity in STEM education and ending global energy poverty. The funds are used to implement the STEM Social curriculum that merges STEM education and civic action, with an outcome of fully assembled StudentBuddy solar light systems. These systems are distributed to our NGO partners in our rural community sites globally, with ongoing monitoring and quality assurance protocols in place. This model has been incredibly successful in the founding country of Australia and is now being implemented via separate charitable entities in the US and Europe. SolarBuddy is also planning campaigns to garner higher levels of individual giving to support programming as well. 

Further details on each program, their impact and further funding is included here:  SolarBuddy Impact and Funding Report 

Share some examples of how your plan to achieve financial sustainability has been successful so far. 

SolarBuddy has been operating successfully from Australia since 2016 and recently launched as a 501c3 in the US. In 2018 sales of SolarBuddy lights grew by 549% on the prior year, and experienced over 200% growth in 2019. COVID-19 provided both challenges and opportunities for SolarBuddy. SolarBuddy rose to both including launching in the USA. It is anticipated that the US will be a significantly larger opportunity for SolarBuddy than the already extremely successful SolarBuddy Australia.   

Please see the following report for more information: SolarBuddy Australia Financial Report 2020