Solar Electric Light Fund

File:SELF in Benin.jpg

SELF employs a Whole Village Development Model{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.org/archive/projects/great-energy-challenge/grantees/solarelectriclightfund/|title=Great Energy Challenge Innovator: Solar Electric Light Fund. Project: Whole Village solar electrification|access-date=2023-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419234130/https://www.nationalgeographic.org/archive/projects/great-energy-challenge/grantees/solarelectriclightfund/|archive-date=2023-04-19|url-status=dead}} using a mix of solar energy solutions to improve the lives of the 1.5 billion people who don't have access to electricity around the world. It seeks to provide benefits in:

• Education: powering lights, computers and wireless internet services.
• Health: powering facility lights, labs, diagnostic equipment and vaccine refrigerators.
• Water & Agriculture: powering water wells and pumps for clean drinking water and year-round crop irrigation.
• Enterprise: powering centers for small businesses and providing electricity for machinery and equipment.
• Community: electrifying homes, community centers and street lighting.

SELF was founded in 1990 by Neville Williams,{{cite magazine|title=Lighting a Path to Distribute Renewable Power to the Third World|last=Daviss|first=Bennett|volume=6|issue=31|page=41|magazine=Infinite Energy|publisher=New Energy Foundation}} a journalist and author, who had experience actively promoting solar power as a consultant to the United States Department of Energy during the Carter administration.{{cite web|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/e/eeb/ace/2001/80312.htm|title=Biography of Neville Williams, Solar Electric Light Company|date=16 January 2002 |access-date=2023-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206150606/https://2001-2009.state.gov/e/eeb/ace/2001/80312.htm|archive-date=2009-02-06|url-status=live}} For much of the 1990s, SELF's primary mission was to deliver solar home systems – 50-watt units installed at the household level that could generate enough power to run a few compact fluorescent lights, a radio, and a small black and white television for four or five hours each evening. The electricity generated by the solar panel is stored in a battery, which then provides power at night and during rainy weather.{{cite web |url=http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter05.html |title=The Energy Story - Chapter 5: Stored Energy and Batteries |access-date=2013-09-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909200050/http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter05.html |archive-date=2013-09-09 }}

In its early projects, SELF used funds donated by private philanthropies to buy home-size photovoltaic systems in bulk on the open market, usually enough for one small village at a time. SELF then sold the systems to villagers in developing areas, in partnership, where possible, with in-country nonprofit agencies. Each participating household made a 20 percent down payment on a solar energy system and paid off the balance – usually between $300 and $400 – over several years. The buyers' payments were pooled in a local revolving loan fund from which their neighbors could borrow to buy their own solar power gear. SELF used a portion of the proceeds on the equipment to establish a local dealership and train residents as solar installers and technicians. The revolving loan funds made it possible for villagers to finance the continued dissemination of solar systems in their areas.{{cite magazine|last=Wangchuk|first=Samten|date=2003-11-21|title=Lighting up Phobjikha valley|publisher=Kuensel|magazine=Kuensel Online}}

Over time, SELF began to evolve more elaborate project structures. In a joint venture with local partners in India, SELF formed a for-profit subsidiary using India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to tap World Bank funds set aside specifically for photovoltaic installations. In part, the company used the money to finance rural co-ops' bulk purchase of solar-energy systems for their members, to install the systems, and to train local technicians. The company then repaid the World Bank's loan from funds collected from the co-ops.

In 1997, SELF decided to launch a for-profit affiliate, the Solar Electric Light Company, or SELCO, based in Bangalore, India, whose goal would be to sell solar home systems in the states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Neville Williams stepped down from his role with SELF to run SELCO, and SELF's board of directors appointed Robert A. Freling as the new executive director. Since 1995, SELCO has sold, serviced, and financed over 115,000 solar systems.{{Cite web |url=http://www.selco-india.com/about_us.html |title=About Us | SELCO Solar |access-date=2013-09-05 |archive-date=2013-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026060121/http://selco-india.com/about_us.html |url-status=dead }}

Beginning in 2000, SELF embarked on its next generation of projects that would seek to harness solar energy for things such as advancing water pumping and purification, purveying electrification to rural schools and health clinics, providing power to small businesses and micro-enterprises, and facilitating communication access.

The first opportunity to fulfill this expanded vision was found in South Africa, where SELF had been working on a project to install solar home systems in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. SELF installed a 2.4-kilowatt solar array, which generated enough electricity to power approximately 20 PCs donated by Dell Computers and a small satellite dish that delivered Internet access to Myeka High School. This was the first solar-powered computer lab built in South Africa, and the pass rate at Myeka High School jumped from 30 percent to 70 percent within a year and a half of installation.

In 2003, SELF found the opportunity to implement a "Whole-Village" approach when the United States Department of Energy (DOE) invited SELF to carry out a solar electrification project in Nigeria. With support from the DOE, SELF equipped three villages in Jigawa State, in northern Nigeria, with solar power systems for a community water-pumping system, a health clinic, a primary school, street lighting, a portable irrigation pump, and a micro-enterprise center.{{cite magazine|date=2003-09-22|title=Kyocera Wires Solar Village in Nigeria|url=https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar/kyocera-wires-solar-village-in-nigeria-9592/|url-status=live|magazine=Renewable Energy World|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201063720/https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar/kyocera-wires-solar-village-in-nigeria-9592/|archive-date=2021-12-01|access-date=2024-10-27}} Since then, SELF has continued to implement this model in other project countries.

SELF has worked in over 20 countries, using solar energy to power health clinics, schools, community centers, water pumps, mosques, drip irrigation, streetlights, and micro-enterprise centers. In addition to its current project sites, SELF has worked in Bhutan, Brazil, Burundi,{{cite web|url=https://www.scidev.net/global/features/solar-power-for-the-poor-facts-and-figures-1/|title=Solar power for the poor: facts and figures|last1=Grimshaw|first1=David J.|last2=Lewis|first2=Sian|date=2010-04-03|website=SciDev.Net|publisher=CAB International|access-date=2024-11-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006115153/https://www.scidev.net/global/features/solar-power-for-the-poor-facts-and-figures-1/|archive-date=2022-10-06|url-status=live}} China, India, Indonesia,{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} Kenya,{{cite web|url=https://www.solarfeeds.com/mag/3-nonprofits-changing-world-solar/|title=3 Nonprofits Changing The World with Solar|last=Satre-Meloy|first=Aven|date=2014-03-18|publisher=SolarFeeds|access-date=2024-11-03}} Lesotho, the Navajo Nation, Nepal, Nigeria, Rwanda,{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/electrifying-health-care_b_188317|title=Electrifying Health Care in Rwanda|last=Ruxin|first=Josh|date=2009-05-18|publisher=HuffPost|access-date=2024-11-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424061732/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/electrifying-health-care_b_188317|archive-date=2023-04-24|url-status=live}} the Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania,{{cite magazine|title=Let's Light up the World|issue=3|year=1998|magazine=Living Lightly}} Uganda, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.{{Citation|magazine=Islands Business|last1=Gray|first1=Gary|last2=Pituvaka|first2=Francis|title=From the Swiss Alps to the Solomons: How remote Sukiki village gots its power|date=March 1999|publisher=Islands Business}}

In partnership with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and Association pour le Developpement Economique Social et Culturel de Kalalé (ADESCA), SELF has installed a total of eleven of its Solar Market Gardens™ (SMG), an innovative, unique solar-powered drip irrigation system, for women farming collectives in Dunkassa and Bessassi, two villages in the arid, northern part of the country.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2012/03/120314-solar-drip-irrigation-in-benin-africa/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123195809/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2012/03/120314-solar-drip-irrigation-in-benin-africa/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 23, 2019|title=Solar Energy Brings Food, Water, and Light to West Africa|date=2012-03-15|website=National Geographic News|language=en|access-date=2019-12-20}}

A two-year study conducted by Stanford University's Program on Food Security and the Environment department appearing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that SELF's SMGs, "significantly augments both household income and nutritional intake, particularly during the dry season, and is cost effective compared to alternative technologies."{{cite journal |last1=Burney |first1=Jennifer |last2=Woltering |first2=Lennart |last3=Burke |first3=Marshall |last4=Naylor |first4=Rosamond |last5=Pasternak |first5=Dov |title=Solar-powered drip irrigation enhances food security in the Sudano–Sahel |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |date=2 February 2010 |volume=107 |issue=5 |pages=1848–1853 |doi=10.1073/pnas.0909678107 |pmid=20080616 |pmc=2806882 |bibcode=2010PNAS..107.1848B |doi-access=free }}

In addition to the SMGs, SELF has also installed three community water wells, streetlights, and solar systems to power two schools and a health center. In 2014, SELF finished the installation of a solar micro-grid that will power a micro-enterprise center in Bessassi, and construction of a second micro-enterprise center in Dunkassa is nearing completion. SELF's future plans include replicating the potable water pumping stations in two more villages, assessing the potential for vaccine refrigerators at solar-electrified clinics, preparing for a pilot internet café, and planning a solar home lantern program.

After the 2010 earthquake, SELF and Partners In Health teamed to develop the Rebuilding Haiti Initiative to fully power ten health centers.{{cite web |url=https://www.pih.org/article/solar-power-to-build-back-better|title=Solar Power to build back better|publisher=Partners in Health|access-date=2024-11-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120070458/https://www.pih.org/article/solar-power-to-build-back-better|archive-date=2021-11-20 |url-status=live}} SELF has also installed 100 solar powered streetlights in tent camps to increase safety, and in collaboration with NRG Energy and the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, SELF has completed the Sun Lights the Way: Brightening Boucan-Carré project by installing solar systems to power a fish farm, 20 schools, a Solar Market Garden™, and a microenterprise center. The success of this project has increased the quality of education for students in remote areas and has contributed to ensuring year-round food security.

In 2013, SELF solarized an additional seven schools to serve nearly 2,000 students, and also installed 20 solar-powered streetlights around Boucan-Carré in dangerous areas. Currently, SELF is installing two solar micro-grids that will provide electricity to 15,000 people in Port-à-Piment, Côteaux, Roche-à-Bateaux, and Fe-Yo-Bien, to be completed in 2015.

With support from Acción Social (a governmental agency in Colombia) and Microsoft, SELF conducted a week-long site assessment and determined that deploying solar electric systems for the indigenous Arhuaco, Kogi and Wiwa communities in the Sierra Nevada mountains of northern Colombia is feasible. The project, a part of the Cordon Ambiental y Tradicional de la Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta initiative led by Acción Social, is intended to power the health and educational facilities in the villages, along with community lighting systems at select locations.

SELF was selected as a Grand Challenges Explorations winner, an initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, for groundbreaking research in solar powered direct-drive freezers to support global health and development. To support immunization efforts at two remote village health posts in the mountains of Colombia's Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, SELF successfully field-tested three solar powered direct-drive vaccine refrigerators and the first commercially available direct-drive, battery-free vaccine icepack freezer. Following the tests, the fridge and freezer were donated to the village of Sabana Crespo.{{cite web|url=https://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/34145-solar-electric-light-fund-receives-grand-challenges-explorations-grant-for-groundbreaking-research-in-global-health-and-development|title=Solar Electric Light Fund Receives Grand Challenges Explorations Grant for Groundbreaking Research in Global Health and Development|date=2012-05-10|publisher=CSRWire|access-date=2024-11-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424201512/https://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/34145-solar-electric-light-fund-receives-grand-challenges-explorations-grant-for-groundbreaking-research-in-global-health-and-development|archive-date=2023-04-24|url-status=live}}

SELF is also working on plans to install a solar energy based microgrid in the village of Sabana Crespo to power coffee facilities, the village general store, a health care clinic which includes a new laboratory, and the village's school and cafeteria.{{cite AV media|title=Switch On|url=https://switchon.org/films/switch-on/|access-date=2024-11-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222140431/https://switchon.org/films/switch-on|archive-date=2024-02-22|publisher=Switch Energy Alliance}}{{cite web|url=http://www.aprotec.com.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Dossier-Hibridos.pdf|title=Dossier proyectos sistemas híbridos|publisher=APROTEC|date=May 2020|access-date=2024-11-03|language=es|trans-title=Hybrid systems projects dossier|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020005541/http://www.aprotec.com.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Dossier-Hibridos.pdf|archive-date=2020-10-20|url-status=live}}

In alphabetical order

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• Alstom Foundation{{cite web|title=Haiti: Rebuilding Haiti with Solar Clinics|publisher=Alstom Foundation|url=https://www.foundation.alstom.com/haiti-rebuilding-haiti-with-solar-clinics|access-date=2023-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807020114/https://www.foundation.alstom.com/haiti-rebuilding-haiti-with-solar-clinics|archive-date=2020-08-07|url-status=live}}
• Clinton Bush Haiti Fund{{cite web|last=Andorka|first=Frank|date=2012-03-07|title=Solar Projects: NRG Completes First Two Solar Projects in Haiti|publisher=Solar Power World|url=https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2012/03/solar-projects-nrg-completes-first-two-solar-projects-in-haiti/|access-date=2023-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503005955/https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2012/03/solar-projects-nrg-completes-first-two-solar-projects-in-haiti/|archive-date=2023-05-03|url-status=live}}
• Dell Computers South Africa
• ExxonMobil{{cite press release|date=2010-06-29|title=Ashoka's Changemakers, ExxonMobil and International Center for Research on Women Announce Three Winning Solutions to Transform Women's Lives Through Technology|url=https://ir.exxonmobil.com/news-releases/news-release-details/ashokas-changemakers-exxonmobil-and-international-center|publisher=ExxonMobil|access-date=2023-05-03}}
• Guadalcanal Rural Electrification Agency (GREA){{cite web|last=Freling|first=Robert|title=Solomon Islands Solar Power Project|date=2013-02-15|url=https://www.motherearthnews.com/sustainable-living/renewable-energy/solar-power-project-zmaz98aszraw/|access-date=2023-05-02|publisher=Mother Earth News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817171506/https://www.motherearthnews.com/sustainable-living/renewable-energy/solar-power-project-zmaz98aszraw/|archive-date=2022-08-17|url-status=live}}
• Habitat for Humanity International{{cite journal|last1=Bhamidipati|first1=Padmasai Lakshmi|last2=Elmer Hansen|first2=Ulrich|last3=Haselip|first3=James|title=Agency in transition: The role of transnational actors in the development of the off-grid solar PV regime in Uganda|journal=Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions|volume=33|pages=30–44|date=November 2019|doi=10.1016/j.eist.2019.02.001|bibcode=2019EIST...33...30B |url=https://backend.orbit.dtu.dk/ws/files/178290037/melju_1_s2.0_S2210422418302417_main.pdf }}
• Inter-American Development Bank{{cite web|first=Andrew|last=Burger|title=SELF Brings Solar PV, Light And Power To Haitian Health Care Centers|date=2012-06-01|publisher=CleanTechnica|url=https://cleantechnica.com/2012/06/01/self-brings-solar-pv-light-and-power-to-haitian-health-care-centers/|access-date=2023-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922061931/https://cleantechnica.com/2012/06/01/self-brings-solar-pv-light-and-power-to-haitian-health-care-centers/|archive-date=2022-09-22|url-status=live}}
• International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT){{cite web|last=Madan|first=Janeen|title=Harnessing the sun's power to make water flow|publisher=The Christian Science Monitor|date=2011-08-24|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/Change-Agent/2011/0824/Harnessing-the-sun-s-power-to-make-water-flow|access-date=2023-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826041756/https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/Change-Agent/2011/0824/Harnessing-the-sun-s-power-to-make-water-flow|archive-date=2011-08-26|url-status=live}}
• Jane Goodall Institute{{cite web|last1=Wilson|first1=Michael L.|last2=Collins|first2=D. Anthony|last3=Wallauer|first3=William R.|last4=Kamenya|first4=Shadrack|title=Gombe Stream Research Centre 2005 Annual Report|publisher=Jane Goodall Institute|url=https://blog.michael-lawrence-wilson.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Annual-Report-2005.pdf|access-date=2023-05-04|page=37}}
• Jigawa State government{{cite web|last=Stewart|first=Heather|title=Sunny outlook for developing world|work=The Guardian|date=2011-02-12|url=https://www.theguardian.com/observer/shellenergy/story/0,,1793232,00.html|access-date=2023-05-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811230517/https://www.theguardian.com/observer/shellenergy/story/0,,1793232,00.html|archive-date=2020-08-11|url-status=live}}

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• National Renewable Energy Laboratory{{Citation|last1=Wallace|first1=W. L.|last2=Tsuo|first2=Y. S.|contribution=Photovoltaics for Rural Electrification in the People's Republic of China|year=1997|title=26th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference|publisher=National Renewable Energy Laboratory|contribution-url=https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=4c4b0da59427d9fbdb0b836cb6a26c49a6a2245d|access-date=2023-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505003707/https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=4c4b0da59427d9fbdb0b836cb6a26c49a6a2245d|archive-date=2023-05-05|url-status=live}}
• NRG Energy{{cite web|title=NRG Energy and SELF expand solar power for Haiti demand|date=2020-05-18|publisher=Energy Digital Magazine|url=https://energydigital.com/renewable-energy/nrg-energy-and-self-expand-solar-power-haiti-demand|access-date=2023-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127004356/https://www.energydigital.com/renewable-energy/nrg-energy-and-self-expand-solar-power-haiti-demand|archive-date=2021-01-27|url-status=live}}
• Partners In Health{{cite press release|date=2010-05-03|title=SolarWorld Grants 100 kW to Rebuild Haiti|url=https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/storage/haiti-gets-us-500000-renewables-boost/|access-date=2023-05-05|publisher=Renewable Energy World|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227153916/https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/storage/haiti-gets-us-500000-renewables-boost/|archive-date=2021-02-27|url-status=live}}
• Royal Society for Protection of Nature, Bhutan{{Citation|last1=Aravindh|first1=M.A.|last2=Giri|first2=Ganesh Prasad|title=An Overview on the Solar Energy utilization in Bhutan|journal=Concurrent Advances in Mechanical Engineering|volume=2|issue=2|year=2016|pages=1–7|publisher=DJ Publications|url=https://access.portico.org/Portico/auView?auId=ark:%2F27927%2Fphx4k40p64r|doi=10.18831/came/2016021001|access-date=2023-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505063339/https://access.portico.org/Portico/auView?auId=ark:%2F27927%2Fphx4k40p64r|archive-date=2023-05-05|url-status=live|doi-access=free|url-access=subscription}}
• SolarWorld{{cite press release|date=2010-07-15|title=Haiti Gets US $500,000 Renewables Boost|url=https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar/solarworld-grants-100-kw-to-rebuild-haiti/#gref|access-date=2023-05-05|publisher=Renewable Energy World|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225222719/https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar/solarworld-grants-100-kw-to-rebuild-haiti/|archive-date=2021-02-25|url-status=live}}
• Stanford University, Institute for Food Security and the Environment
• SunPower Foundation{{cite web|last=Andorka|first=Frank|date=2014-03-05|title=SunPower Strengthens Solar's Sense Of Service|publisher=Solar Power World|url=https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2014/03/sunpower-strengthens-solars-sense-of-service/|access-date=2023-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312125827/http://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2014/03/sunpower-strengthens-solars-sense-of-service/|archive-date=2014-03-12|url-status=live}}
• United Nations Environment Programme{{cite web|title=Lights go on for the first time in Haitian town of Les Côteaux|date=2017-08-07|publisher=United Nations Environment Programme|url=https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/lights-go-first-time-haitian-town-les-coteaux|access-date=2023-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502202848/https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/lights-go-first-time-haitian-town-les-coteaux|archive-date=2023-05-02|url-status=live}}
• United States Department of Energy{{cite press release|date=2003-09-22|title=Kyocera Wires Solar Village in Nigeria|url=https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar/kyocera-wires-solar-village-in-nigeria-9592/|access-date=2023-05-05|publisher=Renewable Energy World|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201063720/https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar/kyocera-wires-solar-village-in-nigeria-9592/|archive-date=2021-12-01|url-status=live}}
• Vietnam Women's Union (VWU){{cite web|title=SELFs Cooperation with the Vietnam Womens Union|date=2012-09-02|url=http://genderandinnovation.org/Keywoard_descriptionn.aspx?get=SELF%60s%20Cooperation%20with%20the%20Vietnam%20Women%60s%20Union|publisher=Gender and Innovation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502202848/http://genderandinnovation.org/Keywoard_descriptionn.aspx?get=SELF%60s%20Cooperation%20with%20the%20Vietnam%20Women%60s%20Union|archive-date=2023-05-02|access-date=2023-05-05}}
• Village Health Works{{cite web|last=Runyon|first=Jennifer|title=Is Access to Energy a Human Right?|date=2010-11-24|url=https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/storage/is-access-to-energy-a-human-right/#gref|access-date=2023-05-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126222451/https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/storage/is-access-to-energy-a-human-right/|archive-date=2021-01-26|url-status=live}}

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• 2011: Energy Institute Award for Best Community Initiative{{cite web|url=http://www.energyinst.org/media-relations/media-centre/164|title=Excellence in energy celebrated at EI Awards ceremony|date=2011-11-18|publisher=Energy Institute|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027035722/http://www.energyinst.org/media-relations/media-centre/164|archive-date=2012-10-27|url-status=dead}}
• 2008: King Hussein Leadership Prize, presented to SELF executive director Robert Freling{{cite web|url=https://kinghusseinfoundation.org/en/Home/TIMELINE|title=TIMELINE|publisher=King Hussein Foundation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713013704/https://kinghusseinfoundation.org/en/Home/TIMELINE|archive-date=2024-07-13|url-status=live}}
• 2008: Named a Tech Awards Laureate by the Tech Museum of Innovation{{cite web|url=https://eponline.com/articles/2008/09/16/tech-museum-announces-2008-laureates.aspx|title=Tech Museum Announces 2008 Laureates|publisher=1105 Media|date=2008-09-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424162748/https://eponline.com/articles/2008/09/16/tech-museum-announces-2008-laureates.aspx|archive-date=2023-04-24|url-status=live|access-date=2024-11-03}}
• 2006: World Bank Development Marketplace Winner{{cite web|url=https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar/solar-electric-light-fund-tackles-benins-arid-land-51912/|title=Solar Electric Light Fund Tackles Benin’s Arid Land|publisher=Renewable Energy World|date=2008-03-26|last=Freleng|first=Robert A.|access-date=2025-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227104411/https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar/solar-electric-light-fund-tackles-benins-arid-land-51912/|archive-date=2021-02-27|url-status=live}}
• 2005: Chevron Conservation Award{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJASCzpRYqw|date=2005-10-28|title=SELF wins Chevron Conservation Award 2005|publisher=self-published|via=YouTube|access-date=2024-11-03}}
• 2002: Tech Museum of Innovation Awards Finalist{{cite web|url=http://www.globalschoolnet.org/gsnabout/PR/25_global_innovators_honored.htm|title=25 Global Innovators Honored as Tech Museum Awards Finalists|date=2002-09-25|publisher=Global SchoolNet|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202150342/http://www.globalschoolnet.org/gsnabout/PR/25_global_innovators_honored.htm|access-date=2024-11-03|archive-date=2023-12-02|url-status=live}}
• 1999: Templeton Award, Presented to SELF Board Member, Freeman Dyson{{cite web|url=https://www.science.org/content/article/physicist-gets-religion-award|title=Physicist Gets Religion Award|date=2000-03-23|last=Holden|first=Constance|publisher=Science|access-date=2024-11-03}}
• 1998: Global Green Environmental Award{{cite web|url=https://centurycity-westwoodnews.com/global-green-usas-millennium-awards-to-be-held-in-century-city-on-saturday/|title=Global Green USA’s Millennium Awards to be held in Century City on Saturday|date=2024-11-03|publisher=Century City and Westwood News|access-date=2024-11-03}}

• Wood, Elisa. "Doing Good by Doing Solar." Renewable Energy World Magazine, 12 July 2013. http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/07/doing-good-by-doing-solar
• Butler, Erin. "In India, SELCO Brings Solar Power to the People." The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Jan. 2013. http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/Change-Agent/2013/0115/In-India-SELCO-brings-solar-power-to-the-people
• Taylor, Darren. "Solar Energy Illuminates Darkest Parts of Africa." Voice of America, 24 Aug. 2012. https://www.voanews.com/a/solar-energy-illuminates-darkest-parts-of-africa/1495451.html
• Fox, Zoe. "SELF Taps the Sun to Break the Cycle of Poverty." Mashable, 23 April 2012. http://mashable.com/2012/04/13/solar-electric-light-fund/
• Eaton, Joe. "Solar Energy Brings Food, Water, and Light to West Africa." National Geographic, 13 March 2012. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120316022007/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2012/03/120314-solar-drip-irrigation-in-benin-africa/]
• Daniel, Trenton. "Haiti Bringing Electricity to Business-starved Projects." The Denver Post, 29 Feb. 2012. http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_20066574#ixzz1oSrH5NJp
• Duda, Steve. "Solar Brings Better Medical Care in Haiti." Earth Techling, 11 Nov. 2011. http://www.earthtechling.com/2011/11/solar-powers-better-medical-care-in-haiti/

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.self.org/ Official site]

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Category:Development charities based in the United States

Category:Solar power

Category:Appropriate technology organizations