Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Markets in Everything: Solar Coke Bottle Lights


Used plastic Coke bottles are now transforming the rural neighborhoods of Manila, Philippines. Homes there are often built so close to each other that they have no windows or natural light, but now affordable "solar Coke bottle lights" are being installed in roofs to provide an overhead "solar light bulb" inside the home. With electricity unaffordable or unavailable for many Philippine families, they used to have to work, do chores, and eat in near darkness.  Now there is light, thanks to human ingenuity and the recycling of used plastic Coke bottles. Take a look.

HT: Gale Pooley

12 Comments:

At 6/26/2012 8:39 AM, Blogger Matt said...

Steven Chu is scratching his head out of pure confusion.

 
At 6/26/2012 8:45 AM, Blogger Speedmaster said...

Fantastic story.

 
At 6/26/2012 10:32 AM, Blogger Buddy R Pacifico said...

U.S. version at about $250 bucks -- does not include installation, but does include dimmer and nightlite!

 
At 6/26/2012 11:14 AM, Blogger juandos said...

Ahhh yes, the K.I.S.S. theory in full bloom...

Take that Solyndra!...

I'm with speedmaster, its a fantastic story...

 
At 6/26/2012 12:14 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Couldn't do that in the US without a $100,000 per light environmental statement.

 
At 6/26/2012 12:27 PM, Blogger bart said...

The mind of man can sure be amazing.

 
At 6/26/2012 1:46 PM, Blogger Jon Murphy said...

The mind of man can sure be amazing.

I second that!

 
At 6/26/2012 3:18 PM, Blogger Ron H. said...

Buddy

"U.S. version at about $250 bucks -- does not include installation, but does include dimmer and nightlite!"

Although there was no mention of a nightlight, I did notice a dimmer - no doubt available at additional cost - in the video at 0:36.

 
At 6/26/2012 8:01 PM, Blogger Buddy R Pacifico said...

Ron H

from the U.S. product description:

"LED nightlight feature is designed for intermittent use and delivers up to 4 hours of soft, subtle light while the sun is down "

 
At 6/26/2012 8:33 PM, Blogger Ron H. said...

Buddy: ""LED nightlight feature is designed for intermittent use and delivers up to 4 hours of soft, subtle light while the sun is down ""

I meant in the coke bottle light video.

 
At 6/27/2012 2:41 AM, Blogger OBloodyHell said...

WTF? It's a hole in the roof with a cheap reflector.

A moderately ingenious reuse of otherwise garbage, but "green jobs"?

Only in a markedly poor society would this even BE a job.

Also -- I'm going to assume that everyone here can figure out what happens when it rains...?

We all know that NEVER happens in an arid, desert-y environment like the Philippines -- right?

Hey, maybe we can start installing air conditioning, too. You just need someone to install one of these -- about 2' across -- in their roofs!!

Still MORE green jobs, YAYYYYY!
:-S

 
At 6/27/2012 10:58 AM, Blogger Ron H. said...

Mr. Bluster sez:

"WTF? It's a hole in the roof with a cheap reflector.

...

Also -- I'm going to assume that everyone here can figure out what happens when it rains...?
"

Did you watch the entire video?

 

Post a Comment

<< Home