Introduction
Liter of Light aims to provide an ecologically and economically sustainable source of light to underprivileged communities around the world. This source of light is based on a solar bottle. It is easy to install and requires only simple technology and easily accessible materials.
In detail: You take a plastic bottle, fill it with water and some chlorine to keep the water clean, and then make a hole in the roof of the household & install the bottle - half outside half inside. The daylight that enters from above gets diffracted by the water and spreads the light into the room. During the day, it fully substitutes a 55 watt light bulb. This solution also works when the sky is clouded. There is still enough light getting inside the bottle, but of course the bottle will shine less brightly.The impact of installing these solar bulbs goes beyond providing light. It will lead to a better quality of life for the families, create new working opportunities and reduce the carbon dioxide footprint.
Background Information & Social Impact
The main problem that can be solved with Liter of Light is the lack of light inside homes. The shelters are mostly built so close to each other that even rooms with windows lack sunlight. Without a source of light, it is impossible to see accurately and thus performing basic tasks becomes very difficult. The beauty of our idea is that it is simple enough for everybody to learn how to build it. That’s why it can also help create jobs for people in the slums. In Bangladesh a micro entrepreneurship model has successfully been tested and implemented and we are currently working on initiating the same concept in our latest projects in Kenya and in South Africa. Besides, people trying to receive electricity illegally are exposing themselves to life-threatening risks, such as a fire due to electrical shortages. Families again, which have access to electricity pay substantial amounts to their electricity supplier rather than satisfying other more pressing needs.
Further Information
References
