Light Up The World

What Light Up The World does

Light Up The World (LUTW) is a registered Canadian charity founded in 1997 by Dr. Dave Irvine-Halliday, a University of Calgary electrical engineering professor, to deliver off-grid solar photovoltaic systems to remote communities without electrical grid access. The organization's core offering is community-scale solar installations for schools, health clinics, and community centers, supplemented by a social enterprise program selling subsidized, Angaza-powered pay-as-you-go (PAYG) solar home systems to individual families in the Peruvian Andes and Amazon, and a consumer hardware product (the Helio solar flashlight/lantern/power bank, sold with 100% of profits donated back to LUTW). Operations are concentrated in Peru, where LUTW runs a regional field office in Lima staffed by local social enterprise managers and trained community agents.

LUTW operates a hybrid revenue model combining philanthropic donations (individual monthly donors plus corporate CSR contributions from partners including Enbridge, Wooree, Capital Power, and TransAlta), recurring micro-payments from 750+ PAYG home system customers, and consumer product sales of the Helio device. Corporate partners co-fund installations and send employee volunteer groups through the Empowerment Expedition program, while academic partners including NAIT, SAIT, and the University of Calgary send student and faculty cohorts through the Empower International Academic Solar Program. The Angaza PAYG software platform enables mobile-key-code activation and microfinance collection in terrain where conventional banking is absent, and systems are designed to be plug-and-play and portable for transhumance communities.

Since founding, LUTW claims reach across 54 countries with 37,000+ solar lights installed and 1.7 million+ people served historically, while its current focused operations have benefited over 11,500 people across 94 communities with 87 kWp of installed capacity and 2,500 internet access vouchers distributed. The organization has won the 2002 Rolex Award for Enterprise, the Tech Museum Award, and a Saatchi & Saatchi Award, and has been profiled by National Geographic and Reader's Digest. Headcount is 1–10 staff split between Calgary HQ and the Lima regional office.

Name

Light Up The World

Legal name

Light Up The World

Website

https://lutw.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Light Up The World is a Calgary-based Canadian charity that installs off-grid solar systems for schools, clinics, and homes in remote Peruvian communities, funded by corporate CSR donations, a pay-as-you-go social enterprise, and its Helio solar light product.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Off-Grid Solar Energy Services and Charitable Programs

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System) (EUAMABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD), Distributed Storage (Behind-the-Meter Batteries) (EUAMAJAE), Home Energy & EV Charging (HEMS, Smart Meters, Batteries, Chargers) (HSAPAQAF)

Keywords

• Off-grid solar installations
• Pay-as-you-go home solar
• Solar aid charity
• Corporate CSR partnerships
• Remote community electrification

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic / CSR Donations: Individual donors (monthly donors) and corporations contribute CSR charity donations to fund solar installations and internet access equipment. Corporations partner with LUTW for custom CSR projects and employee volunteer travel programs. Tax-deductible donations in Canada.
2. Social Enterprise - PAYG Solar Home Systems: Subsidized solar home systems sold to remote Peruvian families with financing options via pay-as-you-go technology. Families make small monthly payments, receive unlock codes, and own the system after full payment. Generates revenue while expanding reach beyond what philanthropy alone can fund.
3. Helio Solar Product Sales: The Helio solar-powered flashlight/lantern/power bank is sold via LUTW's e-commerce platform (lutw.org/product/helio/). 100% of profits are donated to LUTW's energy projects and operations. Originally priced at $70, currently on sale for $45 in Canadian Dollars.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

LUTW designs, funds, and installs off-grid battery-based solar photovoltaic systems for remote Andean and Amazonian communities in Peru, electrifying schools, health clinics, and community centers. The organization also runs a social enterprise that sells and finances plug-and-play pay-as-you-go (PAYG) solar home systems to rural families via Angaza-powered mobile unlock codes, and distributes the Helio solar flashlight/lantern/power bank consumer product through its online store.

Product overview

Light Up The World is a Canadian solar aid charity operating both philanthropic and social enterprise programs. The core offerings include community solar installation projects for schools, clinics, and community centers in remote off-grid areas; the Social Enterprise program offering subsidized plug-and-play solar home systems with pay-as-you-go financing; the Helio consumer product (a solar flashlight and power bank with 100% of profits donated); and volunteer programs pairing corporate and academic partners with communities for field installations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Solar Projects Philanthropically funded community solar installations for schools, health clinics, community centers, and agricultural buildings in remote off-grid communities in Peru; includes installation of photovoltaic systems, batteries, lights, and outlets, with ongoing maintenance and local technician training.
• Social Enterprise Solar Home Systems (Pay-As-You-Go) Plug-and-play off-grid solar home systems offered with pay-as-you-go (PAYG) financing powered by Angaza software; systems unlock via mobile key codes after monthly payments, and are portable enough for transhumance communities; typical system cost ~$220 with subsidized microfinance terms.
• Helio Solar Light and Power Bank A solar-powered flashlight and lantern with 3 brightness settings and a 5,200 mAh lithium battery power bank. At its lowest setting (INFINITE RED), it requires only one hour of solar exposure per day to stay illuminated indefinitely; uses proprietary CHARGEBOOST power management. Sold at $45 CAD (originally $70 CAD) via lutw.org, with 100% of profits funding LUTW's energy projects.
• Empowerment Expedition (Volunteer Travel Program) Volunteer travel program for adults providing hands-on experience installing solar systems and satellite internet in remote Peruvian communities; participants help fund infrastructure and equipment while gaining field technical skills.
• Empower International Academic Solar Program Student volunteer solar installation program enabling academic institutions (NAIT, SAIT, University of Calgary, Rundle College, Western, Yukon University, Algonquin College, Texas Tech) to participate in field installations in Peru as experiential learning; students crowdfund to offset travel costs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 11,500 people benefited across 94 communities globally
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• EnbridgeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor long-term corporate partner contributing CSR charity donations to fund solar installations in Peru. Enbridge sends employee volunteer groups (e.g., 9 volunteers from Canada in 2019 for Hanchipacha project). Multiple annual projects completed together.
• WooreeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-time corporate partner from Korea. Funded and completed 8 projects in 2019 in the Ausangate Valley (Pitumarca region) including 5 schools, 2 community buildings, and 1 medical clinic. Largest joint project was a 1100W PV system at a junior high school in Hanchipacha, Pitumarca.
• NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner sending Alternative Energy Program students and professors on volunteer solar installation trips to Peru. Teams include students and professors who receive hands-on field training while completing installations (e.g., 2024 trip to Santa Rosa community with clean technology integration).
• SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner sending Electrical Engineering Technology students on volunteer solar installation projects in Peru. Multiple trips completed (e.g., 2018 Romatambo project, 2024 May trip). Students crowdfund to offset costs and receive official tax receipts through SAIT's platform.
• University of Calgary (Schulich School of Engineering)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner with active student chapter. In May 2019, 12 technical volunteers (11 students + 1 professor) from Schulich School of Engineering traveled with LUTW and IEEE SIGHT to install a 325W solar system in Hanchipacha. Supported by multiple University of Calgary funding sources.
• Silfab SolarminorOthersSolar panel manufacturer that donates solar panels to LUTW projects.
• Capital Power CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner that provided funding for solar systems and staff support as part of community investment program. Sent employee volunteers to Peru to install solar electricity systems in rural communities in the Andachupa region (2017 trip with 8 employees).
• Terra NuovacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian non-profit organization for international cooperation (founded 1969). Strategic partner for projects in the Peruvian Amazon. Collaborated on electrification projects including the Plátano Laminate Pilot Plant in Soledad community (2021) and Rio Santiago district projects (2021). LUTW provides technical expertise; Terra Nuova provides local development network.
• KendilaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting LUTW since 2023. Partner since this year per LUTW website.
• IEEE SIGHT Southern Alberta SectioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical volunteer organization collaborating with LUTW on solar installation projects. Co-sponsored the 2019 Hanchipacha installation with the University of Calgary. Also supported by IEEE Canadian Foundation.
• Calgary Rotary Club WCS ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal service organization supporting LUTW projects through the WCS (World Community Service) Program. One of multiple community organizations that contributed to the 2019 Hanchipacha project.
• Makers4GoodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit connecting engineers and product designers with philanthropic projects. Makers of the Helio solar light product — SparkFactor Design donated 100% of Helio profits to LUTW. Makers4Good acts as a catalyst, coordinating designers and manufacturers who want to give back.
• AngazacoreTechnology or IntegrationKenyan software platform that powers LUTW's microfinancing and inventory logistics for PAYG solar home systems. Angaza's PAYG technology allows LUTW agents to activate and regulate solar systems via mobile smartphone app when visiting remote areas of Peru.
• Student EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization partnering with LUTW on solar projects. Contributed to electrifying an extremely rural Peruvian school in the Amazon rainforest.
• Spencer OgdenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLUTW x Spencer Ogden partnership for local technician empowerment program, connecting energy sector professionals with LUTW's technical training and installation work.
• Western UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner that partnered with LUTW to bring solar electricity to an elementary school in Cusco, Peru.
• Yukon UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner that partnered with LUTW to bring electricity and internet to a First Nations elementary school in Yukon.
• TransAltaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate energy partner that has contributed to LUTW's Peru projects alongside other corporate partners.
• Enactus CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2021, LUTW partnered with Enactus Canada to bring social innovation to First Nations communities in Canada. First projects planned at Mitawasi First Nations with solar powered internet camps and aquaponics farms.
• Algonquin CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic institution that has partnered with LUTW on solar energy projects in Peru.
• SkyFire EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy company that has partnered with LUTW on Peru solar projects.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• M-KOPA Solar: Kenya/US-headquartered for-profit PAYG solar company that is one of the largest providers of off-grid solar home systems in East Africa. Larger, venture-backed player operating broadly in the same PAYG off-grid solar category where LUTW's social enterprise competes.

Direct peers

• Greenlight Planet (Sun King): Pay-as-you-go solar home system company with large distribution in East Africa and South Asia. Notably, LUTW is itself an official Greenlight Planet distributor — making it both partner and competitor offering directly comparable PAYG solar lanterns and home systems to off-grid households.
• SELCO Foundation: India-based nonprofit focused on energy access and sustainable last-mile solar delivery to underserved households. Comparable in mission, last-mile operating model, technician training focus, and emphasis on affordable solar for rural customers.
• SolarAid: UK-registered charity distributing solar lights and home systems to off-grid communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Closest functional peer: mission-driven nonprofit deploying off-grid solar to energy-poor households in developing countries via donations and PAYG distribution.
• d.light: US/Kenya-headquartered social enterprise that designs, manufactures, and distributes affordable PAYG solar lanterns and home systems in off-grid markets across Africa and Asia. Directly comparable to LUTW's PAYG home systems arm in product, customer base, and PAYG financing model.
• Solar Sister: US/Africa-based nonprofit that recruits and trains women entrepreneurs to sell solar lanterns and clean energy products in last-mile African communities. Comparable business model: distributed-agent model for clean energy access in off-grid markets.
• We Care Solar: US-based nonprofit providing solar suitcases to maternal health clinics in off-grid regions of Africa and Asia. Directly comparable niche: solar-for-health-clinics in developing countries, a vertical LUTW also serves (e.g., Pitumarca Medical Clinic).

Emerging players

• BURN Manufacturing: Kenya-based social enterprise manufacturing and distributing clean cookstoves and solar products to off-grid households in East Africa. Comparable as a social-enterprise distributor of off-grid energy hardware with PAYG-style financing in developing-country markets.
• Barefoot College: India-based social enterprise that trains rural grandmothers to become solar engineers and deploys decentralized solar in off-grid communities. Comparable on training-of-local-technicians model and community-based last-mile solar deployment, but operates predominantly in South Asia.

Others

• EnAccess (formerly Solar Energy Foundation / Angaza ecosystem): European nonprofit working on open-source PAYG technology and last-mile solar distribution enablement. Comparable as an ecosystem enabler in the same PAYG solar space where LUTW is a distributor/distributee of Angaza-platform technology.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCNXbFfp6TevsN98P69N8v6w
• Facebookfacebook.com/LightUpTheWorldLUTW
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/light-up-the-world
• Instagraminstagram.com/lutw_solarcharity
• Xx.com/lutwgroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Light Up The World