Solar study lights, built by students
Note · October 2026 · Bellevue, Washington
Why a solar study light
A $5.17 solar study light gives a student reading light after sunset. Local partners place each light.
The context
655 million people lived without electricity in 2024, according to Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report 2026.
What a light does after sunset
A solar panel charges the battery during the day, and two LEDs give reading light after dark. The battery recharges in about 7 hours of sunlight and gives up to about 12 hours of light on a full charge. The light is built to last 1-2 years, and replacements are available to partners.
What it costs
The parts for one light cost $5.17: a 3D-printed case, a 5V solar panel, a LiPo battery, a TP4056 charge board, two 5 mm LEDs and a slide switch. Student volunteers build the light without pay. Shipping is separate.
Why partners deliver
Finished lights go to partner organizations that already work with schools and communities. The partner knows the students and the households, chooses who receives a light, and hands it over. Flash Forward provides the lights free of charge.