Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Feel Good Friday: Greenlight Planet

While we all love the old school feel of a kerosene lamp when camping, we know how dangerous they can be. And we just use them for weekend trips. Many people in the world have relied on kerosene lanterns to light up everything they do and many a home and human has been burned in the process.

Greenlight Planet is working on solving this problem by bringing ‘innovative energy solutions to the underserved’ Launched in 2009 by a trio of young, global entrepreneurs dedicated to reducing the use of dirty fuels, Greenlight Planet’s solar-powered Sun King lanterns have provided sustainable light to more than 15 million users in rural India and Africa. And the Sun King is responsible for offsetting more than 290,000 tons of carbon dioxide.

Their Pro Light ($45) can shine for 45 hours on a single charge. It also provides a USB port for charging while lighting. Naturally the outdoor market caught on and these Sun Kings are in huge demand around the globe. An ideal addition to any emergency kit, hunting camp or off-grid homestead, the lanterns include a separate aluminum solar panel with a five-meter cord and a removable rigid metal stand for tabletop use. Additionally, the stand can be suspended from the wall, ceiling or used as a flashlight.

Related: The Ice Mule is the reason to ditch the classic Coleman

We spoke to Desh Malik, Vice President North America, Greenlight Planet to hear more about this dynamic company:

What came first, working with people in need or the outdoor market?

The people in need came first then the outdoor market by popular demand. The word got out with NGO’s, travellers and others. It has been tested on the plains of Africa and villages in India. Others wanted to know, “why can’t we get these here?”

Greenlight-Planet-Solo-3
Image used with permission by copyright holder

We started doing surveys asking, ‘would a product designed for the third world have a use in the first world?’ The answer was yes. The outdoor recreation market is huge but second is the emergency market and third is educational. People use these in their garage, their boat, their plane and in their garden.

The light will last 45 hours with a 6-8 hour charge. We guarantee five years of use.

Who else has been using them?

We started hearing more and more from customers on Amazon that they were buying for hurricanes, blizzards and blackouts. That is another target market.

You mentioned the educational market.

Boy Scouts, Peace Corps and university professors want them too, so they can show their students how solar energy can be successful.

Is there a percentage that is donated to third world areas?

Profits we make from Western markets we reinvest in the company to expand the global network in the developing world. We are aligned with certain non-profits like Sunny Money and Solar Aid who have distributed over a million lights.

Also, we are developing ways to get the lights to regions with immediate needs , say the Ebola crisis and weather disasters.

Greenlight Planet Sun King lanterns
Image used with permission by copyright holder

We don’t do a ‘buy one get one’ sale because giving someone the product doesn’t give it as much value as them having to buy it on their own. Basically the light pays for itself over a couple of weeks or months in these third world countries. We are eradicating kerosene lamps, which are unhealthy and unsafe. The prices are about 25% lower than they are in the US. We keep the extra profits to use in the network.

How is each of the lamps different?

Eco is the lowest price level to introduce the product.

The Solo has a flashlight mode.

The Pro lasts longest and has USB technology.

What is next?

We have a home system we are launching in the developing world. It consists of three hanging lamps and two USB ports. You can control the amount of light for each lamp and this is a way to have overhead light in multiple areas of a home, office, etc.

Editors' Recommendations

Cator Sparks
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…
Best DeWalt deals: Save on power tools and accessories
A man wears the DeWalt wireless Bluetooth neckband headphones.

If you’re looking to add to your toolbox this holiday season, there are a lot of great power tool deals taking place right now. They include the likes of Milwaukee and Bosch, as well as other big names in tools. DeWalt, however, is one of the most reliable brands with lifetime warranties, and one of the generally more popular brands when it comes to power tools, and we’ve tracked down the best DeWalt deals currently taking place. With these deals you’ll be able to save on DeWalt orbital sanders, drill bits, batteries, Bluetooth speakers, jigsaws, and circular saws, among many others.
Best DeWalt power tool deals

There’s no sense twisting your arm to get a job done when there’s a power tool to do it better. DeWalt has long been known to make some of the best power tools, with its classic yellow and black branding recognizable in garages the world over. There are quite a few DeWalt power tool deals to shop. You can add both some savings and some new ways to get the job done with these DeWalt power tools.

Read more
Best TV deals: Save big on Samsung, Sony, LG, and more
Vizio 65-inch V-series 4K TV in living room.

So, you've figured out what size TV you need and you're all set for making a big purchase -- a brand new TV for your living room or maybe your den. Whatever you're thinking of buying, you certainly don't want to spend more money than is necessary on anything. That's why we've highlighted all the best TV deals currently around. That includes all the major brands like LG, Samsung, Sony, and more. We've also considered different price ranges as not everyone will want to spend a fortune on a new TV, plus you might simply be looking for a smaller TV for a spare room or similar. Read on while we take you through the highlights.
Best LG TV deals

LG makes some of the best TVs around making it an easy brand to recommend to most people. It sells a wide range of different products so you can buy an inexpensive 4K TV from the company as well as high-end OLED TVs with the latest technology. The C3 and G3 range are the most up-to-date but there are often some great discounts on the A and B ranges if you want an OLED TV without spending so much. webOS and its Magic Remote make browsing for content super simple too.

Read more
The 14 best Christmas movies to watch this year
These stellar Christmas movies will put you in the holiday spirit
DVD box art of Christmas movies

Nothing will get you in the Christmas spirit faster than watching a great holiday movie. Almost everyone had a holiday movie they loved growing up. Sometimes, you discover that those movies remain as great as you always thought they were. Other times, though, you discover that the best Christmas movies are not the same as the ones you might have grown up on.
Christmas movies can sometimes be kind of cheesy, but fear not, we've compiled a list of funny, occasionally dark, totally classic Christmas movies that, yes, sometimes also offer the occasional bit of sweetness. Don't worry, though, none of them get too saccharine.
From sipping on candy-themed cocktails to carving a delicious honey-baked ham, every family has its own holiday traditions they never skip. For many, that involves putting on a Christmas classic after the dishes are washed and the leftovers are put away. Here are the best Christmas movies to put on your radar, when the time comes:

A Christmas Story (1983)

Read more