Sonnenglas® Sun Jar
Handmade in South Africa. More Than Light. More Than Design. More Than Sustainable.
Soak Up Sun by Day, Enjoy Light by Night.
A sun jar is not just a simple lamp: it's a little piece of solar energy you can always have with you. During the day, it stores the sun's light and transforms it into a warm, pleasant glow at night. The heart of it is the innovative SOMO solar light, cleverly integrated into the lantern's lid but also flexible enough to be used independently. Thanks to cutting-edge technology, the solar lantern provides reliable light - whether indoors, in the garden, or on the go. An eco-friendly alternative to traditional light sources, that operates completely independently.
Your Creativity. Your Sun Jar.
Whether big or small - the larger variant with 1000 ml offers plenty of space for creative design and long-lasting light. The Mini with 250 ml is just as impressive: despite its compact size, it boasts six LEDs that provide an impressive brightness, even enough for reading. The only difference? Battery life and brightness vary depending on the model.
And if you like it truly unique, you can customize the glass container according to your wishes by filling it with our unique jar decor and accessories. From shells or dried flowers to small mementos - you have enough space inside the jar to turn it into a true one-of-a-kind creation.
Efficient & Easy Usage
The highly efficient SOMO solar light stores solar energy and transforms it into warm, flicker-free light with a color temperature of 3000 K. Thanks to the innovative magnetic handle, controlling the lantern is effortless: flip it down, and the automatic dusk function is activated - the light turns on automatically at dusk and off again at dawn. Of course, you can also manually turn the lantern on and off at any time.
Flexible, Modular & Repairable
The Sun Jar impresses with its well-thought-out, modular design and consists of five individually replaceable components. This makes it not only especially durable but also sustainable. The SOMO solar light can be easily removed and used independently of the glass as a portable mini light. If any part gets damaged, it can be easily replaced without the need to replace the entire Sun Jar.
Powerful in Any Weather
With six warm white LEDs and a stepless dimming function ranging from 5 to 100 lumens, the sun jar provides up to 100 hours of light (1000 ml version) or 60 hours (250 ml version) depending on the brightness setting. Its weatherproof IP64 construction makes it a reliable companion in any weather. And if the sun isn't shining, you can easily recharge the lantern via USB-C, just 10 minutes of fast charging provides up to 10 hours of warm, pleasant light.
Sustainable & Fair. Awarded the "Blauer Engel".
Sonnenglas provides you with light while making a statement for social responsibility and sustainable production. In our Fair Trade-certified factory in Johannesburg, secure, fairly paid jobs are created, offering new opportunities in socially disadvantaged regions. Made from recyclable glass and durable materials, the sun jar makes a clear statement for environmental protection. Thanks to its high sustainability standards, it carries the prestigious German environmental certificate "Blauer Engel" - for a light that makes a difference.
Light as Versatile as You
Home & Interior
Ambient and stylisch lamp for your home decor
Garden & Outdoor
Perfect for balconies, patios and garden paths
Camping & Travel
Power-free light for your adventures on the go
Decor & DIYs
Customize the jar to suit your individual taste
Dinner & Table Decor
For your special moments to enjoy any dinner setting
Gift Giving
Sustainable gift with a personal touch for your loved ones
Family & Kids
Safe night light and crafting fun for all ages
Events & Celebrations
For weddings, birthdays, barbecues and parties
All Seasons
Suitable decor for every season from easter to christmas
Relaxation & Wellness
Gentle light for peace and relaxation to treat yourself
Two Sizes. Original & Special Editions.
Choose between the classic Original Series, the Limited Special Editions, or the Artisan Editions, which are created in collaboration with artists from Africa. Whether you prefer simple elegance or vibrant splashes of color, find the sun jar that perfectly suits you.
Choose Model
That's Inside SOMO Solar Light
Welcome to the Solar System!
The SOMO solar light is the centerpiece and driving force behind Sonnenglas. It not only supplies energy to our well-known solar lanterns, but also to every other product in our solar system: from camping adventures to home and garden, and all the way to elegant dinner settings.
12,000+ 5 Star Ratings
The #1 solar lamp. The bestseller from South Africa.
Sonnenglas® is the original solar lamp from South Africa, which has been an international bestseller since 2013. Over 12.000 5-star reviews from people all over the world show how the idea of this sustainable light source has spread.
10+ International Awards
Design that inspires. Sustainability that convinces.
Innovative design and sustainability - Sonnenglas® has gained worldwide recognition for this. Our passion for combining sustainable values with outstanding design has won us over. For these efforts, we have already received over 10 of the most prestigious awards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum lighting duration after a full charge?
The SOMO (included with the 1000 ml Sun Jar) can shine for up to 100 hours, while the SOMO Mini (included with the 250 ml Sun Jar) can light up for up to 60 hours on a full charge. The lighting duration depends on the brightness level:
Sonnenglas® SOMO: 5–100 hours
- up to 100 h at minimum brightness
- up to 28 hohurs at medium brightness
Sonnenglas® SOMO Mini: 5–60 hours
- up to 60 h at minimum brightness
- up to 18 h at medium brightness.
What are the brightness and color temperature of the light?
The solar light (included in the Sun Jars) is equipped with 6 LEDs that provide warm white, flicker-free light (3000 K). The brightness can be continuously adjusted using the control button on the underside.
Does the SOMO automatically adjust to the ambient brightness?
Yes! In bright surroundings, it activates energy-saving mode. If the battery level drops below 30 %, it dims the luminosity. In addition, the intensity is automatically reduced after one hour at the highest level.
Is there a dimming function?
Whether you are using the SOMO (included in the 1000 ml Sun Jar) or the SOMO Mini (included in the 250 ml Sun Jar), the solar light can be dimmed continuously. To do this, you can unscrew the solar light from the Sun Jar. By pressing and holding the control button on the underside while in the on mode, the solar light can be dimmed continuously. If you then want to screw the SOMO back into the Sun Jar, please ensure that the magnetic handle is NOT engaged, otherwise, the automatic light mode will be reactivated.
Is there a day-night-automation?
Yes, your Sonnenglas® SOMO is smart! When the SOMO solar light is screwed into the Sun Jar and the magnetic switch rests on the contact point of the SOMO, the day-night automation is activated. Depending on the ambient brightness, the light will automatically turn on at dusk and turn off again when the sun rises. The same functionality works when using the SOMO with the Light Carafe, when the SOMO is aligned with the metal point in the neck of the Light Carafe.
How long does the solar charging take?
Whether a full charge over the course of a day is possible depends on the amount of sunlight. As a rule of thumb, on a beautiful, cloudless summer day, 1 hour of direct sunlight provides about 2 hours of lighting time. You can optimize charging by adjusting the angle of the SOMOs solar cell to match the sun’s position, remove the solar module from the Sun Jar and aliging it directly toward the sun.
- Summer day at approximately 100,000 lux: 2 hours of light for every 1 hour of charging
- Cloudy at approximately 20,000 lux: 1 hour of light for every 2 hours of charging
Can I leave my Sun Jar outside even in sub-zero temperatures?
Although the Sonnenglas® Sun Jar is cold-resistant, the performance of the battery of the SOMO is reduced at low temperatures. It is recommended to keep your Sun Jar indoors during the cold season, ideally on a windowsill, so that it continues to be exposed to sunlight.
How does alternative charging via USB-C port work?
If the sun isn't shining, you can charge the SOMO via the integrated USB-C port (for generation 6 models, previous models have a micro-USB port). You'll need a standard cable and about 6 hours to fully charge the SOMO module. The port is located on the underside of the solar light.
What is the fast charging function via USB?
Thanks to the new fast-charging feature, the Sonnenglas® SOMO Gen6 achieves a lighting duration of up to 10 hours after just 10 minutes of charging from a power outlet, and more than 1 hour of lighting after just a few minutes of charging.
Does the SOMO have a battery level indicator?
Yes, this differs depending on the version of your SOMO. Previous models before Generation 6 have a green LED next to the USB port that indicates the charge level during the USB charging process. For Generation 6 models, the charge level is indicated through colors.
Color Charge Indicator (Generation 6):
- Green means: Fully charged
- Yellow means: Half charged
- Red means: Low/empty
Blink Signals (Previous Models):
- 1x flash: 0-25% charged.
- 2x flashing: 25-50% charged.
- 3x flashing: 50-75% charged.
- 4x flashing: 75-98% charged.
- Permanently lit: 100% charged. The LED is located on the inside of the lid.
Where can I find the manuals and data sheets for Sonnenglas® products?
Manuals and data sheets for all Sonnenglas® products are available for download on our website. You can access them through the following link: Download Manuals and Data Sheets. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
What guarantee do you offer?
We offer you a one-year warranty and optional extension. Extend your warranty free of charge within 2 months of purchase.