Solar Lights Made of Plastic Bottles & Water

This is a pretty cool concept. An innovative solar lighting option developed in Brazil provides energy-efficient lights that probably won’t compete with the next LEDs and only really work in specific circumstances/roofs, but are super cool and have their own unique benefits.

The lights? Plastic bottles with water and a couple lids of bleach in them… and stuck through the roof.

The Brazilian engineer who came up with the idea did so in the midst of an energy blackout and crisis in 2002, as the first video below indicates. The 2-liter soda bottle lights are actually rated at 50-60 watts. Not bad. The lights have gotten the attention of normal folks and engineers alike, and have caught on a bit in some places. The idea has spread to the slums of Philippines, where every penny counts, through a program called “a liter of light.”

I was especially surprised to find out that there is no leakage and the bottles can stay there for years without any need for maintenance! The water bottle lights are said to last for 5 years.

I imagine the natural light is good for the users of the buildings as well. Also, in my humble opinion, I think they look quite beautiful. The way the light shows through the water is really unique. I’m curious to see one in real life.

If you try this out, I’d love to hear about it and see pictures! Have you heard of any other places where these lights are being used, other than Brazil and the Philippines.

h/t sustainablog

Milksoakedcoockie

This idea is by no means “new.” do a simple internet search for the phrase “deck prism” this is technology that has been used for centuries

Bob_Wallace

Deck prisms, and skylights, are a bit pricey. This is a very low cost solution.

Lilian

how do you make this thing we are always in the dark coz of loadshedding
Cian

You said a Brazilian Engineer invented this… But other websites say it was MIT students… Who was it? In fact this is the only website I’ve seen that doesn’t mention MIT.

http://cleantechnica.com/ Zachary Shahan

The whole original story I’ve seen (video above) features this Brazilian engineer. I wouldn’t be surprised if diff people discovered/’invented’ the same thing, but as far as I have seen, this guy was the first.

Alex482009

The main “minus” of these sun bulbs is that they do not produce nor accumulate light, they only disperse sunlight so they can be used only by the poorest in the countries with hot climate (no cielings in the houses, only thin roofs)…
Alex482009

Hi guys! Are you all writing these comments too lazy to use your brains? Zachary told you about a program called “a liter of light.”. Does it really take too much intelligence just to google “a liter of light”??? The first search result gives you the answer to the question how it works and how to make such bulbs yourself: http://isanglitrongliwanag.org/ ! You can download detailed step-by-step manual showing it all or watch a film. What do you use your internet for? Just for chatting? Shame on you!
http://www.facebook.com/tedicrawford Theodora Crawford

I am so excited about what you’re doing…especially the water-bottle light bulb…Thank you for spreading all such news!

http://cleantechnica.com/ Zachary Shahan

Thanks! Yeah, that is a fun one.

Pingback: Low-Tech We Love: Solar Bulbs Powered by Bleach Light Up Homes in the Philippines
Erin Schafer

Alfredo Moser. His name is shown within the first 20 seconds of the first video.
Anonymous

Thanks for the video link but it’s not showing for me.. ?

I mention above that a Brazilian engineer developed it and, I think, he is featured in the first video. I have not been able to find his name anywhere. If you can just provide it for me (since you seem to know), I’m happy to include it.
Santosh gurung

i want to know how to make this plastic bottel light . i hope you can give me some ideas thank you .
Pingback: Solar Bottle Bulb (Part II) | CleanTechnica
Gunasekar C Rajaratnam

This is another example of the same. They add bleach to the water in the plastic bottles.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_CPUFPG3SQ4LTVX5KSJVJU3SGDE jamevein

yeah i know that but am looking to how to make it works for 24 hours= i mean that the solar plastic bulb that works on night time

http://www.jamflanox.info jam

i want to know how to make this thing because i have plan to make some of this and give to our fellowmen in remote areas. hope you can give me some ideas= aside from plastic bottles and water what other ingredients= thanks in advance

Anonymous

All i can tell you about it is what i put in the piece above

Perhaps you can find contact info for one of the organizations helping to spread this around?

http://www.jamflanox.info jam

great ideas= can you tell me how to make this?. what we need to make this solar light= thanks

Anonymous

This is an interesting concept, they would be great for garden sheds etc. It would be nice if someone would explain how to installed them in a roof, and the process of making them weather proof.