SolarBuddy – Illuminating Futures
SolarBuddy – Illuminating Futures
Our Founder and Chair, Simon Doble, an inventor by craft and humanitarian at heart, formulated SolarBuddy with a core need to redefine the way charities do business – shifting away from competition and towards collaboration.
Having already identified the enormity of energy poverty, how it affects so many, and conceptualising the products which could offer solutions, Simon wanted to create his own charity that could leverage the power of working with others towards a common goal, utilising United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #17 – Partnerships for the Goals to achieve Goal #7 – Affordable and Clean Energy for All.
Simon had a vision of SolarBuddy, and the future of all charities globally, as being looked upon like businesses in any other industry – driven by innovative production and achieving its goals through mutually beneficial partnerships that create the greatest impact for those that need it most.
It is because of this vision that we, since our formation in 2016, can call ourselves a self-sustaining charity. We have a model that does not hang on being awarded a crucial grant or beneficiary, but on our own innovative nature to find new solutions to the energy poverty problem, and through leveraging other organisations, as well as everyday Australian people to achieve our mission.
We see SolarBuddy as a bridge to connect and educate our children, community and our partners, who may not fully understand the harsh reality of living in energy poverty, with NGO partners on the ground overseas who do. We act to connect these groups to ultimately deliver our tangible lighting solutions, assembled by people like you through our education, corporate programs, and through our global impact programs, straight into the hands of the children and communities that need them most.
The JuniorBuddy is a purpose-driven solar light designed to help communities overcome the daily challenges of energy poverty.
Where access to reliable electricity is limited or non-existent, JuniorBuddy provides a safe, sustainable, hand-held lighting solution that directly supports education, health, financial wellbeing, and environmental sustainability.
JuniorBuddy lights aren’t just devices; they are tools of empowerment, giving children the chance to study after dark, dream bigger & shape a brighter future.
Holes allow string to be tied through, enabling the light to be worn if needed for safety.
Multi-purpose handle allows light to be hung from ceiling, used for focused study time, as a lamp to light up a room, or held for safety walking at night.
StudentBuddy is a modular, solar-powered lighting and charging solution designed specifically for off-grid communities and energy-poor households. Its creation was inspired by insights from the field, where our founder, Simon, observed that access to energy isn’t just about light—it’s also about the ability to charge mobile devices safely and affordably.
In many communities, girls were forced to walk long distances to charging stations powered by polluting generators, putting them at risk and stealing valuable time from their education.
StudentBuddy addresses these challenges head-on, offering a portable, sustainable alternative with a powerful torch setting for safe mobility at night and the ability to charge devices at home. Its innovative design also allows for simple repairs, extending its lifespan and reducing environmental impact—bringing safety, opportunity, and dignity to those who need it most.
There are attachment brackets that allow for installation in various places around the home, for multiple family members to use in different ways, and in the community so the device can be shared for greater impact
There are two charging ports which means family members no longer need to walk long distances or use fossil fuel powered generators for charge their devices.
SolarBuddy’s K.L.I.C.K. (Kerosene Lantern In-situ Conversion Kit) program tackles energy poverty in off-grid communities by converting kerosene lanterns into solar-powered lights.
As part of our programs, K.L.I.C.K. works towards positive health and livelihood outcomes as an affordable, safe solution that reduces indoor air pollution and fuel costs while empowering women with technical training to maintain and build the lights. This initiative enables them to create micro-enterprises and support their families.
New switch replaces old kerosene mechanism - transforming old lanterns into solar alternative.
FamilyBuddy is our bold, systems-led, design-centred response: a world-first, solar-powered, multifunctional device engineered to meet the core household needs of off-grid families living in extreme energy poverty – cooking, cooling, charging and lighting – within a single, durable, maintainable unit.
It’s designed as a holistic, sustainable and user-focused “energy infrastructure in a box”, capable of long-term transformation of household resilience while dramatically reducing carbon emissions.
FamilyBuddy is entering its final phase of research and development – and now this is the perfect moment to get involved.
Induction Cooktop
DC-powered induction cooktop eliminates open flames, significantly reducing fire hazards and indoor air pollution.
Integrated Chest Cooler
Stores food safely, reducing spoilage and waste in areas where refrigeration is often unavailable.
1. Proven Track Record of Success: Our impactful partnerships with leading organisations like Accenture, Atlassian, Airbus, Goldman Sachs, and Volvo have delivered tangible results. Join this elite group of changemakers and help us illuminate more futures together.
2. Aligned with UN SDGs: Our initiatives support multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring your contributions align with global sustainability efforts.
3. Innovative Human-Centered Design: Our innovations are built around the needs and insights of the communities we serve. This ensures our solutions are not only sustainable and impactful but also truly resonate with those they are intended to help.
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