Unite to light blog

Solar at Every Scale: How You Can Make an Impact This Earth Day

Solar energy is one of the simplest, most powerful ways to take control of how you power your life — and to do some good in the process. Whether it’s a light in your hand or panels on your roof, choosing solar means choosing energy that’s cost-effective, versatile, clean, and renewable.


Solar produces zero emissions once installed, making it better for both our health and the environment. It’s a resource that will not run out; the sun rises every day, all we have to do is harness its energy. And the beauty of solar is that it’s not all-or-nothing, you can adopt solar at whatever scale fits your life.

Sunrise over hills, blue sky
Photo by Jordan Wozniak on Unsplash

Solar also means energy independence. No more depending on the grid or disposable fuel sources — just sunlight doing the work. Your energy production is locked in at a predictable cost, shielding you from shifts in the global energy market. Solar and battery storage can keep your home powered even when the grid goes down, building true energy resilience. And not only can you power your home or charge your phone with solar, but you can also charge your electric vehicle with the power of the sun and leave rising gas prices behind.

Solar on a Spectrum

Solar power’s greatest strength is that it scales to fit any situation, any budget, and any need. From a reading lamp to a home’s energy system, solar power is sustainable, cost-saving, and energy-efficient in every form.


Every shape and size of solar has a positive impact on you and the planet, and when you purchase a solar product from Unite to Light or go solar with Brighten Solar, we extend that positive impact. Your purchase directly contributes to a Unite to Light solar product being distributed to people around the world living without access to electricity–supporting education, health, disaster relief, homelessness, and safety.


So, what solar product is best for you? Between Unite to Light and Brighten Solar, here on the California Central Coast, we’ve got you covered with many options. Unite to Light’s reading light, charger, and lantern are great for campers, explorers, and proactive planners. Brighten Solar can install a home solar and battery storage system for you and your family. Read below to learn more.

The Luke Light

With the Luke Light, you can hold solar power in your hand. This compact, solar-powered reading light is made for everyday life. It makes for the perfect bedside reading light for the whole family, and also ventures into the outdoors with you. Luke Light is a reliable lamp for camping, backpacking, or anywhere the next adventure takes you.

For thousands of people across the world without access to electricity, Luke Light is a lifeline in the darkness. In Haiti, children who received Luke Lights were 30% more likely to advance to the next grade than those who didn’t, which is a remarkable testament to what reliable light can do for a child’s future. In communities where families spend up to 10% of their income on kerosene lamp fuel, a Luke Light doesn’t just save money, it frees up resources that can go toward food, education, and safety. Luke Light provides peace of mind; it eliminates not just darkness, but also the daily worry of where the night’s light will come from. That’s why every Luke Light purchased through Unite to Light comes with a promise: one bought, one donated. Your purchase puts a light in the hands of someone across the world who needs it most.

Chandler Charger

The Chandler Charger may weigh less than a pound, but it packs a powerful punch. It’s a solar-powered portable charger, equipped with a flashlight, that can fully charge your phone 3-4 times. Traveling? Skip the scramble for an empty airport outlet and charge any device on your own terms. Camping or backpacking? The Chandler Charger keeps your devices ready for action without a plug in sight. And if disaster strikes and the grid goes down, having a Chandler Charger in your emergency kit will allow you to stay connected and informed.

Ann shows off the Chandler Charger she was gifted in New York by Unite to Light and our partner Backpacks for the Streets

For people experiencing homelessness, a dead phone can be a dead end. In our digital age, finding beds, accessing resources, and connecting with case managers are only possible with a charged device. Chandler Chargers have provided our neighbors experiencing homelessness across the country with day-to-day stability and connectivity. A reliable charge also matters on the front lines. For first responders and medical professionals, a powered device is vital to providing quality, life-saving care. Every Chandler Charger purchased through Unite to Light provides a Chandler Charger to someone in need, because power and connection should be accessible to all.

Haven Lantern

The Haven Lantern is a powerful solar lantern that can light up any room or space. It’s collapsible, durable, waterproof, and bright enough to light an entire campsite. Equipped with a flashlight and portable charger, it’s an ideal companion for all of your outdoor adventures. The Haven Lantern is also a perfect addition to your home or backyard, with its beautiful design and three brightness settings. Say hello to peace of mind; the Haven Lantern runs on sunlight, meaning you never have to worry about where the closest outlet is. 

With every Haven Lantern purchase, we donate one to those living without access to electricity around the world. As a light in dark times, it provides safety and security, and fosters community and connectivity, allowing people to safely gather after dark. Replacing toxic kerosene lamps, the Haven Lantern supports respiratory health, saves money on fuel costs, and provides safety and security as there is no burn risk. For midwives delivering babies after dark and people recovering from a natural disaster, reliable, safe light makes the difference.

Brighten Solar Co

Ready to bring solar power home? With a home solar and battery storage system, you can produce, store, and use your own clean energy right from your rooftop. It puts you in control of your energy, and in the California Central Coast, that control matters more than you might think.

Santa Barbara county experiences 53% more power outages than the  average county in California. Wherever you are, when the grid goes down, a solar and battery system keeps your lights on, your fridge running, and your family comfortable. It’s not just about saving money — it’s about resilience. It’s knowing that when the next outage hits, your home is ready.

That resilience extends to your wallet, too. California has the second-highest residential electricity costs in the nation, behind only Hawaii. With a solar and storage system, you lock in your energy production at a predictable cost, shielding you from rising utility rates year after year. You choose when and how you use the grid, on your terms, not the utility company’s.

Adopting solar for your home is one of the most powerful steps you can take for both your family and the planet. You’ll generate clean energy that produces zero emissions, power your home and even charge your electric vehicle with sunlight, and gain the peace of mind that comes with true energy independence.

And when you go solar with Brighten Solar, your investment reaches further than your rooftop. Brighten Solar purchases a Chandler Charger for every customer, gifted at their end-of-project celebration. Since Unite to Light operates on a Buy One | Give One model, each charger purchased also puts a Luke Light in the hands of someone living without access to electricity.

Unite to Light is also honored to have Brighten Solar as our Official Solar Sponsor for our  International Day of Light symposium on May 15, 2026, furthering our shared mission to bring clean energy to the 700 million people still living without electricity. 

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