title=”dsc_3997″ src=”http://www.breakthroughinnovationgrant.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/dsc_3997-300×200.jpg” alt=”" width=”300″ height=”200″ />

The Solar Bottle Light is a devise designed and developed by a team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) based on the principles of Appropriate Technologies. This form of study aims to provide simple and easily replicable technologies that address basic needs in developing communities. Through Isang Litrong Liwanag (A Liter of Light), we are sharing the technology behind low-cost and sustainable energy to most communities in the country.

Need:
There is a continuous problem of access to light and legal electricity by a number of homes throughout the country, whether they are located in urban or rural areas. Small, crowded communities (shanty areas) are often covered in darkness even during the day because of the lack of ambient light. Using the electricity for 24 hours a day raises the households expenses by around 40%. For these households, this percentage makes a significant difference to their expenses where their income ranges from minimum wage to less than a dollar a day. While opting for candles as their light source saves them from the unnecessary expense, it also endangers them and creates a fire hazard for the entire community. Latest statistics (2005) show that out of 10,728 fire incidences in the country, 5,105 were caused either by an open flame or through problematic electrical connections.

MyShelter Foundation, Inc., proposes an alternative to household dependence on electricity and open flame. By using the natural source of light – the sun; a household can save on its expenses, reduce risk and maximize its potential during the day. By having the contraption installed in their homes, housewives will be able to work on their domestic chores; children will be able to study under better light; and households and small-scale businesses can save on their monthly expenses.

The Solar Bulb is manufactured on a grassroots level by having livelihood programs where out of school youth gather and assemble the plastic bottles and assemble the bottle bulbs, with the same group being hired by the community to install the bulbs on the roof. An actual pioneer community of 500 beneficiaries has been established in the City of San Pedro Laguna with completely independent centralized assembly system selling the bulb plus installation at Php 100.00 where Php 20.00 goes to the foundation to establish more areas. The initial fund was Php 25,000.00 for 100 solar bulbs and 15,000 for drills, equipment, and initial community budgets. The community built the rest.

With a $ 20,000 USD grant, MyShelter Foundation, working with Rotary Philippines as partner of the project, also aims to empower individual citizens in seven large cities through the year by establishing 1000 solar bulbs in other pioneer communities in six (6) cities around the country in the next year to take a step towards using sustainable energy, whether by the use of the Solar Light Bulb, through volunteering in the project implementation.

The savings of the 500 houses in the pioneer village is an average of 40 % less electrical bill off the average consumption