Cheap Lighting for Off-Grid African Villages
Katie Cordrey — November 15, 2009 — Eco
References: popsci & spectrum.ieee.org
Danish researcher Frederik Krebs has created an LED lamp that may bring cheap lighting to millions who now rely on kerosene lanterns as their primary source of evening light. The lamp combines photovoltaic cells printed on sheets with LEDs and ultra-thin lithium batteries and will cost about $7 to produce.
The lamps are left rolled out flat during the day for charging and rolled and button snapped into a cone-shaped light-emitting cone at night.
Prototype tests are being conducted in Zambia. Improvements to the design are an expected outcome: The current lamp design is only 1% efficient and is projected to last about a year.
The lamps are left rolled out flat during the day for charging and rolled and button snapped into a cone-shaped light-emitting cone at night.
Prototype tests are being conducted in Zambia. Improvements to the design are an expected outcome: The current lamp design is only 1% efficient and is projected to last about a year.
Trend Themes
1. Printed Solar Leds - Bringing cheap lighting to off-grid areas through photovoltaic cells printed on sheets and ultra-thin lithium batteries.
2. Rural Electrification - Developing affordable and sustainable ways to bring electricity to underserved rural areas.
3. Sustainable Lighting - Creating eco-friendly lighting solutions that are affordable and accessible for low-income communities.
Industry Implications
1. Renewable Energy - Utilizing and advancing the use of solar energy to create affordable and sustainable electricity for off-grid areas.
2. Green Technology - Innovating eco-friendly technologies that are accessible and affordable for low-income communities.
3. Social Impact - Addressing the issue of energy poverty and creating positive social impact by providing affordable and sustainable electricity.
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