California-based d.light design, the 2013 winner of the Zayed Future Energy Prize in the Small and Medium Enterprise category, was named Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) Pioneer 2013 at the sixth annual BNEF Summit held in New York (22 – 24 April).

d.light design was among ten companies recognized by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the market intelligence leader in the energy sector, as ‘Pioneers’ - game-changers leading the curve in clean energy and related sectors.
At the Zayed Future Energy Prize award ceremony earlier this year, d.light design was awarded US$ 1.5 million for its pioneering solar-powered lighting solutions that are distributed to the community in the developing world, especially Africa. The company’s small-scale, distributed renewable energy solutions provide households and small businesses and enterprises in Africa with reliable, affordable and safe access to off-grid light and power.

Dr Nawal Al-Hosany, director of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, said: “I would like to congratulate d.light design on this new achievement. Earlier this year, the Prize identified d.light design as a leader in its field, not just for solar technology innovation, but also for the impact the company’s solutions have on communities across the world. d.light has improved over 15 million lives using portable solar lanterns to introduce modular, upgradable solar systems for homes and small businesses. That is what the Prize set out to do – recognize and reward the pioneers of our time that are creating sustainable solutions for the future.”

d.light design was awarded in the presence of industry and government leaders at the BNEF Summit in New York (22 – 24 April), which was also attended by members of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, the world’s preeminent award for innovation in renewable energy and sustainability, as part of the Prize’s outreach campaign in the United States.

Donn Tice, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, d.light design, said: “We believe that everyone deserves access to energy. Winning the Zayed Future Energy Prize has enabled us to accelerate distribution of our life-changing technologies, which have empowered millions to enjoy the freedom and improved quality of life that comes with access to reliable, affordable off-grid light and power.”

Candidates for the BNEF Pioneers awards were assessed against three key criteria: potential scale, innovation and momentum, and judged by a panel of industry experts, which was supported by Bloomberg New Energy Finance’s analysts and technology specialists.

The Zayed Future Energy Prize is a US$ 4 million prize awarded annually to companies, schools and individuals that have made significant contributions to the future of energy, sustainability and climate change. In five years, the Prize has rewarded 21 innovators and impacted communities across the world.

Submissions for the sixth edition of Prize will close on 5 August, 2013. Winners will be announced at the Zayed Future Energy Prize awards ceremony scheduled to be held on 20 January, 2014, as part of the annual Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

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