Solar Lights

When we first trekked to Upper Dolpo in October 2017, we carried with us just 15 portable solar lights. Each one cost about $25 USD, produced 150 lumens, and could be hung like a lantern—a simple, practical design. Our goal was to test whether they would be durable and useful in this harsh environment.

The response was immediate. Within an hour of Kunsang, a teacher at Saldang, demonstrating how to use them, villagers were lining up asking for “light?” What began as a small trial quickly revealed a huge need. Since then, 500 solar lights have been delivered, brightening lives across the valleys.

Some homes have a fixed solar light and solar panel – this is becoming more common. For most households, light still comes from yak dung fires, twigs, or kerosene lanterns—sources that fill homes with smoke and cause lung and eye disease. Many older adults already suffer from poor eyesight, and a visiting doctor with Nomad’s Clinic remarked that cataracts from high-altitude sun exposure and smoky indoor air are widespread.

These simple lights have proven transformative. They provide safe, clean light for homes, help children study in the evenings, and make it easier to visit neighbors or walk to the toilet at night. At high summer pastures, families even report that leaving the lights on helps deter snow leopards from prowling too close to livestock.

What started with 15 lights is now hundreds, each one a beacon of health, safety, and opportunity in one of the most remote regions on earth.

We are able to purchase these at considerable discount for charitable purposes through LuminAID and offer very special thanks for their help!

Some thank you notes

“I was born around 1960s and been through lot of changes. There was hard time growing up. The only light we had was fire. When I was young it was not a problem but when you grow older seeing is harder than you think. The light I received from Altitude made my life easier in many ways. It is so portable that I carry it everywhere especially in mountains while herding animals. It works with solar so I don’t have to buy extra batteries. At home I use it while going out to toilet, and working at field at night. I want to say thank you!”
– Pema Gurung

Light distribution at Komang School
photo credit – Tulku Lama

Photo credit – Pema Wangyal

We have one small solar panel for light. It is not good. My grandfather has small light and he give us to do homework at night.”
– Dawa Lhamo Gurun

“Little might be the size but huge in impact. Thank you so much. Your distributed lights are used in a best manner. Very useful and worked so well during the pandemic because some the nearest markets borders are blocked. There wasn’t enough access of light even at home. None rejects value of light. Moreover, light having free energy from sun to dispel darkness.”
-Pema Wangchen