A hand holds a Sun Jar Classic by its handle against the setting sun

Sonnenglas Sun Jar

The original. Since 2013.

Often copied. Never matched.

Invented to bring light where there is no electricity. Then it went around the world.

Built in South Africa in 2013 to replace candles and paraffin lamps. Today the Sonnenglas stands on balconies in Berlin, on beaches in Japan and in townships near Johannesburg. Bought millions of times — and still the same jar.

Simple. Clever.

Everything it needs. Nothing it doesn't.

Stainless steel and real glass, no plastic. It stands steady like a lantern — built to last for years.

The Sun Jar Classic from above at an angle: glass, lid with SOMO solar light and switch, wire handle

Magnetic switch

The clever switch on top of the lid. The day/night sensor does the rest.
SOMO solar light module

Solar cells on top, battery and light in one module. Replaceable and removable, it also shines on its own. Charges by sun and via USB-C.
Stainless steel

Screw ring and wire handle in rust-free stainless steel. To carry and to hang.
Soft, warm light

Dimmable up to 100 lumens, warm white (3000 K). Soft, indirect light, bright enough to read by.
Decorate the inside

Shells, flowers, memories: what goes in the jar is up to you.
Real recycled glass

No plastic. Stands steady, even in the wind.

The best moment

When it gets dark, it begins to glow

Lid on, and the day/night sensor takes over: on at dusk, off at dawn. No cable, no socket.

A Sun Jar Classic and a Mini on a rock in the midday sun

By day

By day it catches sun. And looks good doing it.

On the windowsill, the garden table, the rock above the valley. At night, whatever you put inside lights up.

At home

A piece of the sea, on the table.

Your personal light

Make your memories glow

By day a decoration: shells from the last holiday, cones from a walk in the woods, the figure from the children's room.

We ship the Sun Jar empty: the decorations in these pictures are ideas, what goes in the jar is up to you. The exception is the Artisan Edition, crafted by hand by African artists.

And at night

Then they glow

Films

The Sun Jar on film

Moments

Where Sun Jars glow

A glowing Sun Jar Classic with a flower stands on a bed beside an open book

A glowing Sun Jar Mini stands in the half-light in front of a teddy bear on a chair

Two hands hold a glowing Sun Jar Mini with flowers

Outside

From the barley field to the picnic table

A woman carries two Sun Jars with dried flowers through a barley field at sunset

A Sun Jar Classic and a Mini with dried flowers on a table outdoors

All year round

Light for every season

From Christmas to the beach. In summer the sun charges it, in winter USB-C helps.

Autumn

Dark early. Good thing it glows.
Winter

Snow outside, light in the window.
Spring

The first warm evenings outside.
Summer

Beach, campfire, long nights.

Two sizes

Classic and Mini. And the editions.

Every Sun Jar comes as a complete set with the SOMO solar light.

Sun Jar Classic

incl. SOMO

R 480,00 In stock

Sun Jar Mini

incl. SOMO

R 390,00 In stock

Artisan Edition

Editions

For the Artisan Edition we work with artists in Africa. They refine our products, and every piece creates income for them. What is the Artisan Edition?

Incl. VAT · plus shipping (free from R 1 000)

Compare the models

	Sun Jar Classic Complete Set · incl. SOMO R 480,00 View product	Sun Jar Mini Complete Set · incl. SOMO R 390,00 View product
Solar light	SOMO Classicincluded	SOMO Miniincluded
Height	18,3 cm	11,2 cm
Diameter	10,2 cm	6,9 cm
Weight	644 g	223 g

Always the newest generation

Outside, the same jar since 2013. Inside, always the newest.

Buy a Sun Jar today and you get the sixth-generation SOMO: 100 lumens, USB-C, dimmable, IP65 weatherproof. And because it swaps out, after years you replace the module — not the lantern. That is what our upgrade programme is for.

More about the SOMO

New light for your favourite jar: Upgrade programme

A gift

Give light

Bright enough to read by, beautiful enough to give away. Fill it with a memory first, if you like.

Gift ideas

More than 20 international awards

Probably the most awarded solar light in the world

Social Impact by Design. Proudly Made in Africa.

Every jar is made by hand in Johannesburg

In our Fair-Trade-certified factory at Victoria Yards, people find permanent, fairly paid jobs. 100 percent of profits are reinvested.

Our story

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Sun Jar light up?

Up to 100 hours on low, 28 hours on medium and 5 hours at full brightness — with 100 lumens of warm white light.

Does it work in winter?

Yes. When the sun is not enough, charge the SOMO via USB-C.

Is the Sun Jar weatherproof?

Yes. The complete set is IP65 protected and built for garden tables, balconies and campsites.

What is the difference between Classic and Mini?

The size: the Classic holds 1000 ml, the Mini 250 ml. Both come with the SOMO solar light.

Does it work in other solar systems?

So far the Sonnenglas is approved for our solar system only and tested exclusively with our Sun (Sol, spectral class G2V). Interstellar travellers, please write to info@sonnenglas.net before departure with details of your host star — we will check whether it works there. Photos are very welcome, and so are invitations to the Restaurant at the End of the Universe. And whatever you do: don't forget your towel.