In a recent product review by Süddeutsche Zeitung, nine solar lights were tested for light quality, design, functionality, and sustainability. The result: Sonnenglas came out on top. It stood out for its atmospheric light, fair production standards, and thoughtful overall concept.
“The best product is a Fair Trade lamp from South Africa.”
– Süddeutsche Zeitung
1. Performance That Delivers
Sonnenglas is more than just a light source – it creates atmosphere. The warm, inviting light was one of the key features praised by the testers. Unlike many low-cost solar lamps from discount stores or online retailers – often cold, flickering, or dim – Sonnenglas delivers reliable, beautiful illumination for everyday use and special occasions.
Fact Check:
Sonnenglas: 60 lumens, warm white, durable LED, evenly distributed light
Mass-produced alternatives: Often <40 lumens, cold white, short lifespan
2. Modular System: Repair, Don’t Replace
Sonnenglas is the only product in the test with a fully modular design. Its core – the SOMO solar light module – can be easily replaced or upgraded. The glass jar remains intact. That means less waste, lower costs, and more long-term value.
With cheap imports from China, a defect usually means the end of the product's life – no spare parts, no repair options. This results in more waste and higher long-term expenses.
Sonnenglas System Advantages:
✔ Replaceable module for easy repair or upgrade
✔ Long product lifespan due to high-quality components
✔ Compatible with add-ons like the Adventure Mount
3. Proven Sustainability
Sonnenglas doesn’t just claim sustainability – it proves it. It’s the only solar lamp in the world to carry the Blue Angel eco-label, meeting rigorous standards for environmental protection, health safety, and longevity.
In contrast, mass-produced solar lamps may market themselves as “green” but are typically made in high-emission factories, with questionable plastics and little regard for lifecycle impact.
Sonnenglas vs. Low-Cost Alternatives:
✔ Blue Angel certified vs. No environmental certifications
✔ Long-lasting and repairable vs. Designed for obsolescence
✔ Transparent supply chain vs. Unclear origins
4. Fair Production – Real Impact
Every Sonnenglas is handmade under fair conditions in South Africa. Each purchase directly supports employment and skill-building, creating real opportunities for people in underserved communities – especially women and young adults.
Mass production in anonymous mega-factories in China, on the other hand, often involves precarious working conditions, low wages, and little to no social responsibility.
With every Sonnenglas you buy:
✔ You directly finance sustainable jobs
✔ You strengthen the local South African econom
✔ You support global social justice
Conclusion:
Sonnenglas is more than just a solar lamp. It’s a system, a statement, a bright idea – both literally and figuratively. The top ranking by Süddeutsche Zeitung proves: Conscious consumption doesn’t require compromise. In fact, Sonnenglas offers better lighting, longer life, smarter design, and a deeper social and environmental impact.
And all of this – at a price that’s no higher than many inferior alternatives.