© 2024 New Atlas
Environment

Versatile solar Pebble looks to replace dependence on kerosene

By Ben Coxworth
April 08, 2010
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
View 4 Images
Plus Minus' Solar Pebble rechargeable lamp
Plus Minus' Solar Pebble rechargeable lamp
Plus Minus' Solar Pebble rechargeable lamp
Plus Minus' Solar Pebble rechargeable lamp
Plus Minus' Solar Pebble rechargeable lamp
View gallery - 4 images

Kerosene can be nasty stuff. Kerosene lanterns in particular can lead to fires, explosions, asphyxiation, and toxic fumes. In some of the world’s poorest regions, unfortunately, kerosene lanterns are the standard form of nighttime lighting. The folks over at England’s Plus Minus Solar tell us that every 20 seconds, someone is killed by such a device. That’s why Plus Minus has developed a solar-powered light called the Solar Pebble, that is targeted for humanitarian use in sub-Saharan Africa... or for patio use in suburban London.

The rain- and dust-proof LED Solar Pebble is powered by batteries that are charged by a small-but-efficient 6-volt solar panel. One 12-hour charge can light a room for an entire day and a ratchet handle allows the Pebble to be placed at the optimum solar-gathering and/or light-providing angle. It has built-in strap slots, so it can easily be carried, plus it can charge cell phones and other mobile devices.

Plus Minus' Solar Pebble rechargeable lamp

Not only is the Solar Pebble cleaner than kerosene, but it’s also cheaper. Apparently the product should cost less than one-tenth what African villagers are annually spending on kerosene. Plus Minus hopes to launch the Solar Pebble in Uganda this June or July, funded by sales of the product at home in the UK - it could also be just the thing for campers and festival-goers. No word on price yet, other than that it should be under £30 (about US$46).

Via Inhabitat.

View gallery - 4 images

Tags

EnvironmentLightingLED
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
Ben Coxworth
Based out of Edmonton, Canada, Ben Coxworth has been writing for New Atlas since 2009 and is presently Managing Editor for North America. An experienced freelance writer, he previously obtained an English BA from the University of Saskatchewan, then spent over 20 years working in various markets as a television reporter, producer and news videographer. Ben is particularly interested in scientific innovation, human-powered transportation, and the marine environment.
6 comments
srmorb
This makes you wonder why one would invest in a company like Sunrise Solar when it\'s still a penny stock.
ca_writer_jan
Thanks for the information. I always enjoy reading about technology for the third world. So far I would still rate the Kiran D. Light as the best designed solar lantern. At $15.00 US it is affordable enough for me to buy and give away several.
digadigado
I\'m puzzled. Contrary to what you say blue LEDs were, in fact, very difficult to produce and it took years of research. The Japanese engineer who did it became a celebrity and now works (I believe) in the US. At the time the blue LED was first produced, green LEDs already existed. Google searches will bring up a wealth of supporting material. This article has gotten something very wrong.
Article from 1995, 15 years ago: ABSTRACT: Very bright blue light emitting diodes (LED\'s) have recently been developed and made commercially available by Nichia Chemical in Japan. Efficient red, yellow and green LED\'s already exist, and are used in displays such as in the Tokyo subway. However with these existing LED\'s full color displays were not possible. The newly developed blue LED\'s fill this gap.
digadigado
I screwed up. My prior post was for the green LED, not the LED lantern. Sorry!
Facebook User
What is the equivalent in kerosene needed to manufacture this technological wonder? It\'s a safe bet that a kerosene lamp is cheaper to acquire and own over its life cycle than the solar Pebble. How many months before the rechargeable battery dies and one has to throw it away?
Facebook User
It\'s situation like the Gulf Tradgedy that will bring people to seethe use
in new sources of energy such as this so;ar lantern.

Thanks to British Petroleum industries oriented towards
Turbine Wind Generators
Solar Generators and Appliances
Making renewable feul from sources such as rice stalk

Is begininng to look sensible.
Powered g
Most Viewed