Yhi Solar sheds light on Arnhemland

Sydney-based Yhi Solar has joined forces with the Lirrwi Yolngu Tourism Aboriginal Corporation to solve power problems in north-east Arnhemland in the Northern Territory.

Power prices have increased by up to 40% in the last three months, forcing some Yolngu people to spend upwards of $20 a day on electricity power cards - a large percentage of disposable incomes. This is creating significant financial strain on Yolngu families in the region.

Yhi Solar’s Martyn Dominy visited the township of Nhlunubuy last week to launch the social venture project to distribute the Mandarin Ultra solar-powered light. The Yhi Solar brand has been embraced by the Yolngu people, Dominy says, as Yhi represents the goddess of light in Aboriginal mythology.

The Australian-designed and -engineered light fully recharges in 6 to 8 hours of daylight, even on overcast days. It is used by more than 1 million people in Africa, Pakistan and the Philippines to replace kerosene lamps.

Dominy says the renewable energy technology will assist the Yolngu people with reducing their power costs, but sees it benefiting all Australians.

“Our strategy is bigger than just distributing the light to the Yolngu people,” Dominy said. “We want every household in Australia to be using the lights to reduce their carbon footprint and to save money on power costs.”

Yhi Solar will donate 10% of net sales back to Lirrwi Tourism to assist in the development of its Indigenous Tourism Masterplan across the NT. Dominy hopes to raise $500,000 from corporate sponsors and individuals which will be used to purchase 40,000 lights. The lights will be distributed across Australia to Indigenous people in remote and isolated communities, as well as people from low socioeconomic backgrounds living in cities.