Solar Bottle Bulb

Solution Overview & Benefits

In places where there is little access to reliable electricity, there is still access to sunlight. The Solar Bottle Bulb, designed and developed by students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is a strategic solution that utilizes recycled material and provides light equivalent to that of a standard light bulb. A plastic water bottle is filled with water and bleach (which prevents microorganism growth) and then affixed into a roof. Sunlight reaches the bottle, and is refracted by the water - which lights up a room inside as long as there is sunlight outside.

History & Development

The Solar Bottle Bulb will be distributed by the My Shelter Foundation, which aims to launch sustainable projects in the Philippines. Millions of households outside of the capital city of Manila are still without power. Even in locations where there is access to electricity, the Solar Bottle Bulb is an alternative to paying monthly electricity bills - the technology can be used in conjunction with other sustainable lighting sources that operate at nighttime. This product is designed according to the principles of Appropriate Technologies – a concept that provides simple and easily replicable technologies that address basic needs in developing communities.

Availability

Publicly available: yes
Countries where available: Worldwide
Price range (USD): Free

Additional Information

 
Solution Providers Website (external link)

Updates

If you are aware of any updates to the Solar Bottle Bulb project please complete the form or send an email to [email protected]

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