Solar Sister’s work has a ripple effect impacting local women, their families, and the customers and communities who switch to using clean energy. Find out more about our data-driven approach and how we measure impact.
Independent research shows that Solar Sister’s model improves not only a woman’s household income, but also health, education and a woman’s status and control over resources.
Income allows women to contribute to household earnings, gain confidence, financial independence, and respect from their families, and play a larger role in household decision-making. From trainings and ongoing mentoring, entrepreneurs also gain important skills like marketing, financial management, communications and technical product knowledge. As a result, women gain confidence and the ability to serve as role models and change agents in their communities.
Families benefit from the better health and economic stability thanks to use of clean cookstoves and solar light. Children in particular benefit from reliable, bright lighting to study by at night. Over 90% of parents reported improvement in their children’s academic performance thanks to solar light. Women in particular also benefit from time savings – thanks to increased available lighting after dark. Those who use solar lights report 170% increase in light after sunset resulting in increased productivity. Families who switch to clean cookstoves significantly reduce the time of collecting wood, the cost of solid fuels, and by reducing smoke also improves the health of women and children in particular.