CHILE-HAITI/LAMP Chileans create solar module lamps to aid poor communities

Record ID: 147441

  • Title: CHILE-HAITI/LAMP Chileans create solar module lamps to aid poor communities
  • Date: 13th July 2015
  • Summary: SANTIAGO, CHILE (JULY 7, 2015) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SULI LAMP PROJECT PARTNER, CRISTIAN O'RYAN, SAYING: "This solar module is composed, basically, of four elements that are the most important. One is a solar panel that draws energy from the sun, leads it to batteries, which in this case are rechargeable AAA batteries. It also has a closed circuit and an LED. Thi
  • Embargoed: 28th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Chile
  • Country: Chile
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA4RRLT0H42VOSNQ8HBKZJWQEXJ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Too many in the developing world live in the dark, both figuratively and literally. That's the impetus behind the SULI lamp, a solar light module with a small and circular yellow design created by a group of Chilean entrepreneurs. The idea is for the lights to be used throughout the developing world in sites like Haiti where residents struggle to attain proper lighting.
    The lamp has two fastening systems. It can be attached to a PET bottle and also as an accessory that allows the lamp to be used as a reading light, as well for camping, gardening and in emergencies. It can also used on bicycles.
    The lamp charges during eight hours with the aid of direct sunlight. Once fully charged, it can be used for a total of 50 hours at night covering a diameter of 5 metres (16 feet), according to company's website, http://www.sulilab.com/.
    As a result, the lamp helps to reduce damage to the environment caused by an overreliance on kerosene lamps or candles in which an estimated one million deaths are the result. Those deaths are directly linked to fires, among other causes, 3dprint.com reported.
    The innovative lamp was created by a team of Chileans, including architect Ximena Munoz, industrial designer Macarena Pola, publicist Matias Casanova and commercial engineer Cristian O'Ryan, who created their company, SULI, in 2013, according to the company's website.
    The lamp was launched to mark the International Year of the Light, Casanova said.
    "2015 is the year of light and we wanted, somehow, to put something in the hands of the people that would help them or in the end would focus on sources of natural and renewable energy," said Casanova.
    O'Ryan explained how the device works.
    "This solar module is composed, basically, of four elements that are the most important. One is a solar panel that draws energy from the sun, leads it to batteries, which in this case are rechargeable AAA batteries. It also has a closed circuit and an LED. This LED is the one that will generate light, which for us is the main feature of the solar module and, together with these things, there are what we call, 'hooks,' which are two standard hooks that make sure that SULI is versatile. These hooks are designed in the background, the design was done with the thinking that this was not only a flashlight but one which you could play around with or to create with through the SULI, so as to create different applications," said O'Ryan.
    The creators have now partnered with America Solidaria, a Chilean non-profit organisation that is building five water wells in the town of Boutin in Haiti, the poorest nation in the Americas, which was hit by a 7.0 magnitude quake on Jan 12, 2010. The massive earthquake killed more than 220,000 people.
    The project, called WASH, looks to provide drinking water in the town to combat high levels of cholera in a rural area where 3,500 people live, according to a news release issued by SULI. The SULI model will help provide lighting for area wells.
    In order for the project to materialise, the SULI team is looking to raise funds through the crowdfounding Indiegogo platform during a one-month campaign in order to build the first 500 lamps, the company news release said.
    "What we're doing with America Solidaria is to accompany them on a project of access to drinking water (in Haiti). In the Boutin community, we are developing five wells (water) for the communities, which are more less a community of 3,500 people. SULI will take care of lighting these wells so as to make [the wells] safer, more accessible, to be a landmark in the community," explained O'Ryan.
    The lamp creators also want to introduce the lamp into schools so that children are able to study for more hours. Installing the lamp directly homes in Haiti will also be considered in the future, 3dprint.com reported.
    According to Indiegogo, $21,139 dollars have been raised, surpassing the goal of $20,000 dollars. The funds are thanks to donations from 299 people over 29 days to fund the project.
    For $85 dollars, users on Indiegogo will also be able to purchase a SULI lamp for themselves and donate an additional one to Haiti. The first lamps will be delivered in April 2016, according to the Indiegogo website.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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