Sonnenglas® SOMO Solar Lighting System
Prize(s):
WINNER 2026 PRODUCT DESIGN / Eco Design
Company Name:Sonnenglas GmbH
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Sonnenglas GmbH
Design Team / Other designer(s):Studio Scazziga
Manufacturer Name:Sonnenglas GmbH
Design Status:Commercialized
Website: View
Video URL:View
Product Description:
Born out of necessity for communities in Africa without electricity, SOMO® is a revolutionary step in personal solar lighting. What began as a solution to energy poverty has evolved into a powerful, modular system: providing clean, safe, and sustainable light to anyone, anywhere. SOMO® is the intelligent, swappable core of the Sonnenglas® ecosystem. Independently functional and universally compatible, the compact Gen6 module delivers warm, reliable light — powered by sun or USB-C. Its modularity reduces electronic waste and future-proofs the system, aligning technical innovation with environmental responsibility. Sonnenglas® is the world’s first solar light to receive Germany’s Blue Angel eco-label, recognizing its low environmental impact and exceptional durability. But sustainability is just the beginning. Every SOMO® is assembled in our Fair Trade certified factory in Johannesburg, South Africa to create dignified jobs, foster skills, and empower communities. It replaces hazardous lighting like kerosene with a safer, brighter alternative. SOMO® is light designed for people and planet. A product of innovation, equity, and hope.
Born out of necessity for communities in Africa without electricity, SOMO® is a revolutionary step in personal solar lighting. What began as a solution to energy poverty has evolved into a powerful, modular system: providing clean, safe, and sustainable light to anyone, anywhere. SOMO® is the intelligent, swappable core of the Sonnenglas® ecosystem. Independently functional and universally compatible, the compact Gen6 module delivers warm, reliable light — powered by sun or USB-C. Its modularity reduces electronic waste and future-proofs the system, aligning technical innovation with environmental responsibility. Sonnenglas® is the world’s first solar light to receive Germany’s Blue Angel eco-label, recognizing its low environmental impact and exceptional durability. But sustainability is just the beginning. Every SOMO® is assembled in our Fair Trade certified factory in Johannesburg, South Africa to create dignified jobs, foster skills, and empower communities. It replaces hazardous lighting like kerosene with a safer, brighter alternative. SOMO® is light designed for people and planet. A product of innovation, equity, and hope.
Product Innovation / Specification:
SOMO® is part of a modular solar ecosystem, powered by highly efficient solar cells. Charging under the sun during the day, it provides sustainable, eco-friendly illumination by night. By aligning the solar module with the metal contact of our Sun Jars® or Light Carafes®, the light activates automatically and controls the day-night automation to save energy. But the SOMO® module can also be utilized independently as a pocket light, with a handy control button on its underside enabling stepless dimming. This multi-use capability not only enhances user convenience but also expands its application across various contexts, making it an indispensable tool for both daily use and unique settings. Key Features of SOMO®: - Light duration: up to 100 hours of light after full charging - Brightness: 5 - 100 lumens - Light quality: 6 LEDs providing warm, flicker-free illumination at 3000 K - Solar Charging: 2 hours of light from 1 hour of sun exposure - USB-C fast charging: Full charge in 2.5 hours, 10 hours of light in 10 minutes - Integrated Li-ion battery with color-coded charge indicator
SOMO® is part of a modular solar ecosystem, powered by highly efficient solar cells. Charging under the sun during the day, it provides sustainable, eco-friendly illumination by night. By aligning the solar module with the metal contact of our Sun Jars® or Light Carafes®, the light activates automatically and controls the day-night automation to save energy. But the SOMO® module can also be utilized independently as a pocket light, with a handy control button on its underside enabling stepless dimming. This multi-use capability not only enhances user convenience but also expands its application across various contexts, making it an indispensable tool for both daily use and unique settings. Key Features of SOMO®: - Light duration: up to 100 hours of light after full charging - Brightness: 5 - 100 lumens - Light quality: 6 LEDs providing warm, flicker-free illumination at 3000 K - Solar Charging: 2 hours of light from 1 hour of sun exposure - USB-C fast charging: Full charge in 2.5 hours, 10 hours of light in 10 minutes - Integrated Li-ion battery with color-coded charge indicator
Product Sustainability Approach:
Sustainability is central to our design philosophy, using solar lighting to replace conventional, energy-intensive lighting. Its modular system extends the SOMO's utility across multiple products, enhancing longevity and reducing electronic waste. Our products serve as CO₂-neutral lighting alternatives to conventional lamps and candles. By day, they harness solar energy and transform it into clean, emission-free LED light by night. Wherever possible, we use recycled and sustainable materials, from the raw materials to the packaging of our products. For example, the glasses of our Sun Jars and Light Carafes are made from 100% recycled glass. SOMO® is produced in our own factory in Johannesburg. The facility is powered by 90% solar energy with 105 photovoltaic panels on the factory’s roof, generating 40 kW of power to already reduce the environmental impact during manufacturing. SOMO® is the first and only solar light that is recognized with the "Blue Angel". This certification, issued by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV), attests to the environmental friendliness and confirms the high sustainability standards met by our products.
Sustainability is central to our design philosophy, using solar lighting to replace conventional, energy-intensive lighting. Its modular system extends the SOMO's utility across multiple products, enhancing longevity and reducing electronic waste. Our products serve as CO₂-neutral lighting alternatives to conventional lamps and candles. By day, they harness solar energy and transform it into clean, emission-free LED light by night. Wherever possible, we use recycled and sustainable materials, from the raw materials to the packaging of our products. For example, the glasses of our Sun Jars and Light Carafes are made from 100% recycled glass. SOMO® is produced in our own factory in Johannesburg. The facility is powered by 90% solar energy with 105 photovoltaic panels on the factory’s roof, generating 40 kW of power to already reduce the environmental impact during manufacturing. SOMO® is the first and only solar light that is recognized with the "Blue Angel". This certification, issued by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV), attests to the environmental friendliness and confirms the high sustainability standards met by our products.
Local and Regional Impacts of the Product:
SOMO® is produced in our Fair Trade certified factory in Johannesburg, offering equitable jobs with several benefits that exceed WFTO standards, especially for women and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. That’s why our factory is located in Lorentzville, a district of Johannesburg struggling with high unemployment rates. We offer not just jobs, but a new outlook on life. The starting salary for unskilled workers at our company is more than double the local minimum wage and exceeds the calculated "Living Wage" for South Africa. All employees work 40-hour weeks and any overtime is voluntary and, of course, compensated. Besides that, we always prioritize working with regional partners, cultivating sustainable economic growth and fostering community empowerment within local markets.
SOMO® is produced in our Fair Trade certified factory in Johannesburg, offering equitable jobs with several benefits that exceed WFTO standards, especially for women and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. That’s why our factory is located in Lorentzville, a district of Johannesburg struggling with high unemployment rates. We offer not just jobs, but a new outlook on life. The starting salary for unskilled workers at our company is more than double the local minimum wage and exceeds the calculated "Living Wage" for South Africa. All employees work 40-hour weeks and any overtime is voluntary and, of course, compensated. Besides that, we always prioritize working with regional partners, cultivating sustainable economic growth and fostering community empowerment within local markets.
Profile Description:
At Sonnenglas, we believe that light can change lives. Every product is handmade in Africa, combining traditional craftsmanship with sustainable innovation. Our mission goes beyond providing clean, solar-powered light: we create opportunities, empower communities, and nurture a brighter future. Fair trade is at the heart of everything we do. In our Johannesburg factory, we employ young talents and local artisans. By supporting young people, historically disadvantaged communities and the traditional art scene, we turn work into empowerment, not just employment.
At Sonnenglas, we believe that light can change lives. Every product is handmade in Africa, combining traditional craftsmanship with sustainable innovation. Our mission goes beyond providing clean, solar-powered light: we create opportunities, empower communities, and nurture a brighter future. Fair trade is at the heart of everything we do. In our Johannesburg factory, we employ young talents and local artisans. By supporting young people, historically disadvantaged communities and the traditional art scene, we turn work into empowerment, not just employment.
Environmental Practices:
Sustainability guides every step of our process. The innovative SOMO solar light powers all Sonnenglas products, from Sun Jars to Light Carafes. It can be flexibly swapped between products to ensure convenience, durability, and eco-conscious design. “Light for a Brighter Future” is more than our motto, it’s the impact we want to bring to homes and communities worldwide, especially where electricity is not a given, and load shedding and power outages are part of everyday life.
Sustainability guides every step of our process. The innovative SOMO solar light powers all Sonnenglas products, from Sun Jars to Light Carafes. It can be flexibly swapped between products to ensure convenience, durability, and eco-conscious design. “Light for a Brighter Future” is more than our motto, it’s the impact we want to bring to homes and communities worldwide, especially where electricity is not a given, and load shedding and power outages are part of everyday life.
Previous Awards Won:
iF DESIGN AWARD Red Dot Design Award Core77 Design Award Dezeen Award Good Design Award Social Products Award Green Product Award German Design Award Golden Pin Design Award Big See Product Design Award New York Product Design Award IDA Design Award
iF DESIGN AWARD Red Dot Design Award Core77 Design Award Dezeen Award Good Design Award Social Products Award Green Product Award German Design Award Golden Pin Design Award Big See Product Design Award New York Product Design Award IDA Design Award
