Release
d.light design is honored to be chosen as the recipient of the prestigious Zayed Future Energy Prize, the world’s largest annual award in the renewable energy and sustainability sector. d.light was selected in the small and medium size enterprise category. The prize, managed by Masdar on behalf of the government of Abu Dhabi, is presented annually to companies that have shownoutstanding, innovative achievements and leadership in the global search for a sustainable energy future.
"We are very honored to win the Zayed Future Energy Prize," said d.light Chairman and CEO Donn Tice. "d.light represents an essential part of the future of energy: small-scale, distributed energy solutions at the community, household and individual level. Winning this prize will enable us to transform millions more lives that we would not otherwise reach as quickly. This is not just a win for d.light, but for everyone without access to reliable grid power."
Established in 2008, the Zayed Prize honors the legacy of environmental protection and concern for conservation of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi’s late ruler and Founder of the United Arab Emirates.
The prize was awarded in a lavish ceremony at the Emirates Palace as part of the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. Prizewinners were selected via a rigorous four-stage process that enlists the expertise of distinguished leaders around the world from a total pool of 579 applicants. The finalists became special guests hosted by the Zayed Future Energy Prize Committee. They were invited to attend Sustainability Week events; provided with special access to "by invitation only" small group discussions on the Future of Energy and introduced to the U. S. Ambassador.
The Zayed Future Energy Prize aims to create a community spirit among the world’s most gifted and pioneering innovators and leaders driven around four key criteria: long-term vision, innovation, leadership and impact. d.light design has been at the forefront of the solar powered lighting market.
"We are on a mission to transform the lives of 100 million people in the developing world by 2020," continued Tice. "This past October, we reached a major milestone, empowering 10 million lives with our solar lanterns in over 40 countries around the world. With this prize, we’re poised to accelerate our reach."
About d.light
d.light is a for-profit social enterprise whose purpose is to create new freedoms for customers without access to reliable power so they can enjoy a brighter future. We design, manufacture and distribute solar light and power products throughout the developing world. We aim to transform the lives of at least 100 million people by 2020, and have reached over 10 million since founding. d.light serves over 40 countries, through over 6,000 retail outlets, 10 field offices, and four regional hubs. The company employs over 200 people directly, and indirectly employs hundreds more worldwide.
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