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Efficient Lighting

High-quality lighting and emission reductions.

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Already, we have distributed over 14.5 million LED bulbs to nearly 3 million households across India, preventing over 986,000 Tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.

How big is the problem we’re solving?

It’s far-reaching. Millions of the rural poor in Least Developed Countries (LDC) utilize lighting, which is highly inefficient such as CFL’s and places a significant demand on power grids that typically use thermal power plants (TPP) for electrification. This results in more coal being burned.

It is estimated that lighting alone accounts for nearly 5% of global CO2 emissions, and many in developing economies still rely on ICLs that place significant pressure on peak power demand resulting in power shortages.

This inefficiency also means low-income families can spend as much as 10% of their income on electricity.

One of the principal barriers to equitable and quality education is efficient, reliable light sources, which disproportionally impact female children who are more likely to invest in their education after household labor is complete, typically after daylight hours. The cost of high-quality LEDs prohibits the rural poor from accessing this technology.

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How we’re solving it

The LED distribution program makes it possible for the rural poor to replace their inefficient incandescent light bulbs (ICLs) with efficient long-life LEDs. The project targets rural areas of India, where many low-income consumers cannot afford LEDs, even at subsidized rates.

Implementing at scale results in a significant reduction in electricity demand, translating to lower GHG emissions from thermal power plants.

Efficient lighting options ensure access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable modern energy. Our LEDs are long life, lasting up to 10 years, replacing the need for 10-20 inefficient bulbs, and can save up to 90% of energy consumption.

Stories of Impact

Testimonial Video

"Earlier it was difficult (sewing by hand), but now I can do it efficiently as our house is well lit now. I am able to do a lot of work because of these lights" Sashi, Beneficiary

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Stories of Impact

Testimonial Video

"These LED bulbs are bright and last very long. Light is very important for life. We can't do anything without it. From cooking to washing clothes, we need light for every job." Nidhi, Beneficiary

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    The people get:

    Access to high-quality lighting with increased lumens enabling them to read, cook and work in their homes without straining their eyes

    Reduced cost of lighting

    Meaningful monthly savings on household bills of up to 10% of their income

    Reduced power shortages from decreased peak capacity demand

    The planet gets:

    Significant carbon emission reductions

    Delayed need for new coal-fired power plants

    Our Program

    LEDs are provided through distribution centers where inefficient light bulbs can be exchanged. Exchanged ICLs are replaced, collected, crushed, and certified as recycled in their various components. Failed CFLs are also collected and recycled wherever feasible, following electronic waste guidelines of India.

    Unique to our program, we provide an 1800 phone number to support warranty claims and ensure any faulty products are replaced.

    High impact fully verified.

    Our projects have a significant sustainable development impact across climate, social, health, and economic empowerment, meeting up to 7 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

    Our projects are verified and validated through Verra’s industry-leading verification standards, and our impact will be certified through SDVISta, ensuring Verified Carbon Units are of the highest quality.

    Latest Projects Blog

    Press Release: Shell and C-Quest Capital agree funding for an Efficient Lighting Project in India

    Carbon project developer, C-Quest Capital (CQC) and Shell International Eastern Trading Company (Shell) have agreed the financing for one of the largest household efficiency projects globally. The project, dubbed ‘Project Shine I’, will replace inefficient incandescent light bulbs (ICLs) with energy efficient LED globes across disadvantaged rural, and peri-urban regions of India.

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    LED’s Lighting a New Path for Future Sustainability: Part Three

    In this final part of our blog series, we will hear from three regions, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Bihar

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    LED’s Lighting a New Path for Future Sustainability: Part Two

    Part two explores C-Quest Capital’s (CQC) efficient lighting program where over 14.5 million LED blubs have already been supplied to over 3 million households. By the end of the program, it will be estimated that up to 50 million LEDs will eventually be installed to many of India’s most rural and disadvantaged  communities.

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    LED’s Lighting a New Path for Future Sustainability: Part One

    With lighting accounting for 15% of global energy usage and nearly 5% of global CO2 emissions, efficient lighting technologies such as Light Emitting Diode (LED globes) have now been moved into the limelight as an essential technology to move the world closer to net-zero – one globe at a time.

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