Watch our work in new Documentary

News

We’re proud to share that SUM is featured in Planet Sun, a compelling new documentary that explores humanity’s enduring relationship with the Sun—its cultural significance, its scientific mysteries, and its transformative power in shaping lives and societies across the globe.

The film highlights recent innovations in solar energy and their potential to drive inclusive development, especially in remote and underserved communities. SUM’s work in Madagascar is showcased as a powerful example of how solar solutions can be locally adapted to meet educational, nutritional, and economic needs.


As part of the documentary, the filming team visited our solar cooking site in Antananarivo, as well as our Light Library and Digital Learning hubs in rural communities just outside the capital. They spent time with students, teachers, and franchisees, capturing the everyday realities and aspirations of those directly impacted by our programmes.

Through interviews with our team, the documentary delves into the context we operate in—where energy poverty intersects with educational inequity—and how our hybrid model combines social entrepreneurship, community engagement, and solar innovation to address these challenges. It also explores how our approach to accessibility and affordability is reshaping what’s possible for rural families and schools.

Planet Sun premiered in Australia in October and is being shown at film festivals across the world. Watch the segment featuring SUM below to get a close-up look at our work and its impact on rural off-grid communities in Madagascar. The full documentary will be available after screening at festivals and competitions in 2026.


More News & Stories

Children in a classroom.
Case Study
Light Library
Bright Futures with Solar Lamps
Colette, a 10-year-old student at Ankarinomby Primary School, used to study by a smoky kerosene lamp until her school’s Light Library began renting solar lamps and power banks. The clean, reliable light now lets her and her sister study every evening, keeps the family’s phone charged, and replaces weekly fuel costs with an affordable rental that her grandparents see as an investment in her future.
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Classroom with teacher in front of a blackboard and children with their hands raised.
Case Study
Light Library
Lighting the Way for Learning
Mamie, a dedicated teacher at Rakotobe Joseph Primary School, transformed her home into a nightly study hub after receiving a solar lamp from the Light Library project. The steady, clean light replaced costly batteries and dim torches, letting her prepare lessons comfortably, support her five children’s homework, and watch her students arrive better prepared and more motivated. Her story shows how reliable solar lighting can reduce expenses, protect health, and power real improvements in learning across a whole community.
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A man operating solar power battery bank.
Case Study
Light Library
A Day in Delson’s Light Library
Ialy Delson, a Light Library franchisee in Emagnevy, provides affordable solar lighting and power‑bank services, replacing costly kerosene lamps so children can study at night and families spend less on lighting—he hopes the model will expand and drive wider community benefits.
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A teacher using a tablet to project a presentation for the class.
News
Digital Learning
Expanding Digital Learning
In September, Solar United Madagascar scaled its Digital Learning Programme from two pilot schools to 15, now reaching over 2,500 students across four regions. The programme gives teachers tablets connected to an offline intranet hub with thousands of curriculum-aligned resources and teacher training modules, and uses Light Libraries’ power solutions to keep learning going after dark.
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Children in front of a school entrance.
News
General
Watch our work in new Documentary
We’re thrilled to be featured in Planet Sun, a new documentary by the award-winning team behind Planet Wind. The film explores the global impact of solar energy, with a spotlight on SUM’s work in Madagascar where solar innovation meets education, nutrition, and community resilience. Catch a glimpse of our Light Libraries, solar cooking sites, and the inspiring people behind the movement.
Read More

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Want to know more about our Light Libraries, Digital Learning programmes, or how to get involved? Please get in touch to discuss how you can help power positive change.

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