Proud PINOY does not claims any credit for any articles, news and/or photos posted here. All visual content is copyright to its respectful owners. All info's are not accurate and may contains errors. If you are the owner to any photos or articles, and does not want us to post it here, please contact us by e-mail

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Sunlight-powered plastic bottle bulbs light up Pinoy homes


Around 25,000 low-income homes in the Philippines have been lit up after the launch of a scheme to fit sunlight-powered “bulbs” made from old plastic bottles.
In a country where 40% of the population lives off less than $2 a day, the rising cost of power leaves many unable to afford electricity. Some use candles as a light source, but when generations of family members share a small, dark space in shanty towns, accidental and destructive fires are often the result.
The Liter of Light project was launched six months ago by the My Shelter Foundation, a Philippines-based NGO which aims to provide light to 1 million of the roughly 12 million homes who are either still without light or live on the threshold of having their electricity shut down.
The scheme uses plastic bottles filled with a solution of bleached water, installed into holes made in shanty towns’ corrugated iron roofs, which then refracts the equivalent of 55W of sunlight into the room – during the day, at least. It takes five minutes to make, and using a hammer, rivet, metal sheets, sandpaper and epoxy, it costs $1 to produce.
Eduardo Carillo, a resident in one of Metro Manila’s many impoverished areas, said: “Before we had the bottle light, the walkways to our house were so dark and going inside made it even darker. The children are no longer scared – they are happy now and they laugh because they can play inside during the day instead of playing in the streets.”
The idea of using plastic bottles as a light source is not a new one – it was developed in Brazil by Alfredo Moser in 2002. But with the help of a group of MIT students, the solar bulb used in the Philippines has been modified to meet local needs.
My Shelter Foundation Founder and social entrepreneur Ilac Diaz explains: “We basically did a cheap kind of one-way lock using the metal sheet. Once you put in the bottle, it will not slip down anymore. That way even if the roof expanded or contracted with the heat, it would not affect the waterproofing and would keep the bottle intact for many years to com.”
Diaz believes in the importance of using “appropriate” green technologies for poorer countries:
“The challenge is how can the developing world come up with its own model to limit emissions of carbon- we cant afford to buy imported, patented or manufactured solutions from the developed world and can’t afford to wait until they become affordable.”
The programme is also creating jobs. What began with teaching and contracting one unemployed man to make the first 1000 bottles has evolved into an ongoing program that has creating more than 20 jobs in installing the bottles. “We wanted to prove one man could change his village,” said Diaz.
(Story courtesy of the Guardian UK)

20 comments:

  1. Having read this I believed it was extremely enlightening.
    I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this information together.
    I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading
    and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile!


    Here is my web page ... How to Get free Minecraft

    ReplyDelete
  2. It is the best time to make some plans for the long run
    and it is time to be happy. I've learn this submit and if I may I desire to counsel you some interesting things or suggestions. Perhaps you could write next articles relating to this article. I want to read even more issues about it!

    Also visit my web-site cityville cash Generator

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a blog site?
    The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit
    acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept

    Also visit my web-site; Hack Sharecash

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was suggested this blog by my cousin. I am not sure whether
    this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my difficulty.
    You're amazing! Thanks!

    My homepage: FarmVille Game

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very interesting points you have observed , regards for posting .

    "Death is Nature's expert advice to get plenty of Life." by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.


    my page :: psn

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm not sure where you are getting your information, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic information I was looking for this information for my mission.

    my web blog :: minecraft premium account

    ReplyDelete
  7. A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment.

    I do believe that you should write more on this issue, it may
    not be a taboo subject but typically people don't discuss such subjects. To the next! Best wishes!!

    My web page - how to get minecraft

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hey there, You have performed a great job. I'll definitely digg it and in my opinion suggest to my friends. I'm sure they will be benefited from this site.


    My weblog: my sex games

    ReplyDelete
  9. It's appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it's time to be happy.
    I have learn this publish and if I may just I wish to suggest you some interesting things or advice.
    Maybe you can write subsequent articles regarding this article.
    I want to learn more issues approximately it!


    Here is my web page youtube software

    ReplyDelete
  10. Simply a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw
    outstanding pattern .

    My site legit GPT site

    ReplyDelete
  11. I blog often and I truly thank you for your content.
    This article has really peaked my interest. I will bookmark
    your blog and keep checking for new information about once per week.
    I subscribed to your RSS feed too.

    My website ... How to Earn Money While Unemployed

    ReplyDelete
  12. Excellent beat ! I would like to apprentice whilst you amend your
    website, how could i subscribe for a blog website? The account helped me a acceptable deal.
    I were a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered vibrant transparent
    concept

    Have a look at my website: Miscrits cheats

    ReplyDelete
  13. wonderful points altogether, you just gained a new reader.

    What could you recommend in regards to your put
    up that you simply made a few days ago? Any sure?

    Also visit my web blog ... Adfly Money Hack

    ReplyDelete
  14. Whats up! I just would like to give a huge
    thumbs up for the good info you may have right here on this post.
    I will likely be coming back to your weblog for extra soon.


    Have a look at my web site; semperfire rf 200 nerf

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm now not certain the place you're getting your info, however great topic.
    I needs to spend a while learning much more or working out more.

    Thank you for excellent info I was on the lookout for this info for my mission.


    my blog post ... Linkbucks bot 2013

    ReplyDelete
  16. Free PDF Password Remover Tools http://www.pdfpasswordremover.
    tk - PDF Unlocker - Unlock Any Secured PDF File For Free.
    The best PDF Password Removal Software For Free Download

    Hurrah! At last I got a blog from where I know how to actually take helpful information regarding
    my study and knowledge.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi there, of course this piece of writing is in fact good
    and I have learned lot of things from it concerning blogging.
    thanks.

    Review my homepage: Immunotec

    ReplyDelete
  18. You really make it appear so easy with your presentation but I
    to find this topic to be really something which I feel I might never understand.
    It kind of feels too complex and very huge for me. I'm looking forward
    in your next submit, I will attempt to get the dangle of it!


    my web site: castleville legends cheats

    ReplyDelete
  19. Aw, this was a very good post. Finding the time and actual effort to create a great article… but what can I say… I procrawstinate
    a lot and don't manage to get nearly anything done.


    Also visit my page; Visit This Site

    ReplyDelete
  20. This post is really a fastidious one it assists new net visitors, who are wishing for blogging.


    My web page; new port richey web design

    ReplyDelete