Australian charity Little Sunshine Pledge is delivering one of its most ambitious renewable energy initiatives yet, with 25 donated solar installations planned across orphanages and education centres in Cambodia and Vietnam during 2026.
The latest milestone has been completed at Sunrise Cambodia, where a new 13.2kW solar power system is expected to reduce the centre’s daytime electricity costs by 30 to 35 per cent, allowing more funding to be directed towards the care and education of the 377 children it supports.
The Sunrise installation forms part of a wider program that will see Little Sunshine Pledge partner with leading renewable energy manufacturers GoodWe, Clenergy, and Yingli to provide clean, reliable electricity to children’s organisations across the region.
For many of these centres, electricity is one of their largest operating expenses. Every dollar spent on power is a dollar that cannot be spent on food, education, healthcare, or improving living conditions.
Solar savings that keep giving
By harnessing solar energy, the savings generated each month remain with the centres throughout the life of the system, creating a long-term source of financial relief rather than a one-off donation.
Sunrise Cambodia was selected as one of the first Cambodian sites due to its remarkable work supporting vulnerable children for more than two decades. The installation is the largest solar system Little Sunshine Pledge has completed to date and was specifically designed around the centre’s energy requirements.
Peter Chang, Co-Founder of Little Sunshine Pledge, said the organisation’s goal was to create lasting change that continued well beyond the installation itself.
“Every one of these centres pays a power bill each month, and that bill competes directly with the food budget. At Sunrise Cambodia we expect the system to cut it by 30 to 35 per cent. A donation gets spent once. This one keeps paying out for the working life of the system.”
Peter said Sunrise Cambodia perfectly represented what the charity hoped to achieve through the 2026 installation program.
“With Sunrise Cambodia we knew straight away they were a perfect fit for the program, and we wanted them to be one of the first sites we activated in Cambodia. They have spent more than two decades transforming the lives of children, and we can’t wait to see the savings on their power bill go straight back into that work, helping change more little futures.”
The Sunrise project follows three additional installations completed during July, including Transform Cambodia, New Smile of Hope Children’s Association, and Huynh De Nhu Nghia in Vietnam.
Together, the four July installations provide 29.8kW of clean energy to organisations supporting more than 840 children. With a portion of the equipment already installed on the roof, by the end of 2026, Little Sunshine Pledge is looking to complete an additional 19 installations across Cambodia and Vietnam, significantly expanding its impact throughout the region.
The charity has already completed 15 installations since its inception and continues to grow through the support of its industry partners.
Renewable energy industry backs the program
GoodWe, one of the world’s leading inverter and energy storage manufacturers, supplied the inverters that will be deployed across all sites. Additionally, GoodWe collaborated with Little Sunshine Pledge to customise and translate their EcoSmart Kids educational workshop, to deliver it to all participating sites, so children could learn more about climate change, helping the environment and how their solar system helps them.
Dean Williamson, GoodWe Australia and New Zealand Country Manager, said the project demonstrated how the renewable energy industry could create meaningful change beyond the communities it traditionally serves.
“Access to reliable electricity can transform lives. We’re proud to support Little Sunshine Pledge because this initiative demonstrates that renewable energy can do far more than reduce electricity bills. It can help create safer, healthier environments where children have the opportunity to learn, grow, and build brighter futures. We encourage more organisations across our industry to get involved and make a lasting difference.”
Global renewable energy manufacturer Clenergy has played a key role in helping deliver the initiative through the supply of mounting systems and ongoing support.
Samir Jacob, Global Marketing Director at Clenergy, said renewable energy could deliver benefits well beyond reducing emissions.
“This project is about more than solar energy, it’s about creating opportunities for children to thrive. By providing clean, reliable power to the orphanage, we’re helping reduce costs, improve living conditions, and support a brighter future. We hope this initiative inspires others in our industry to use renewable energy as a force for good and to give back to the communities that need it most.”
Solar manufacturer Yingli Solar supplied the high-efficiency solar panels that will power each Little Sunshine Pledge installation. With decades of experience delivering reliable photovoltaic technology around the world, Yingli’s contribution will help provide clean, dependable electricity to schools and orphanages, reducing energy costs while supporting education, healthcare, and everyday living.
Yingli Solar Australia Managing Director, Tim Feng, is seeing the impact Little Sunshine Pledge is having on communities.
“At Yingli, we believe solar energy should do more than generate clean electricity, it should create lasting positive change for people and communities. We are incredibly proud to support Little Sunshine Pledge and to see Yingli solar panels helping organisations across Cambodia and Vietnam reduce their energy costs, allowing more of their resources to be directed towards supporting children, education, and care. Seeing the program now reaching more than 1,200 children is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when the renewable energy industry comes together with a shared purpose. We look forward to continuing this journey and helping Little Sunshine Pledge bring the benefits of clean energy to even more communities.”
More than solar panels and inverters
The 2026 installation program builds on Little Sunshine Pledge’s mission to provide sustainable, long-term support for children’s homes and schools throughout Southeast Asia.
Rather than relying solely on fundraising, the organisation delivers infrastructure that continues generating value every day for decades, helping centres redirect operational savings into the services that matter most.
As more installations are completed throughout the year, each project will contribute to a growing network of organisations benefiting from lower operating costs, improved energy security, and cleaner electricity.
With strong support from industry partners, Little Sunshine Pledge hopes the program will inspire more businesses within Australia’s renewable energy sector to use their expertise and technology to create positive social impact beyond Australia’s borders.
To donate to Little Sunshine Pledge, please visit www.littlesunshinepledge.org
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