Saturday, July 23, 2011

‘Solar bottle bulbs’ brighten homes in Payatas

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SATURDAY, 23 JULY 2011 18:22

IN a bid to support A Thousand Points of Light—a three-day program geared toward providing “sustainable” and “green” lighting technology to needy residents in Payatas—Bosch Power Tools recently contributed GSR 10-80 and 14-40 lithium-ion cordless drills to enable the efficient and proper installation of the solar lighting units for some 1,000 homes in the community.
The program was the first large-scale activity of the Isang Litrong Liwanag (A Liter of Light) Project of MyShelter Foundation, which is supported by Bosch, the world’s leading manufacturer of power tools and cordless lithium-ion technology.
“Bosch is deeply heartened at the opportunity to utilize its power-tools technology in helping provide adequate lighting for the Payatas community,” said William Go, country sales director of Bosch’s power tools division.
The Isang Litrong Liwanag program is a sustainable lighting project that aims to provide low-income communities with the eco-friendly solar bottle bulb, which is designed and developed by students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
The solar bottle bulb is a device based on the principles of Appropriate Technologies—a concept that provides simple and easily replicable technology that address basic lighting needs in developing communities.
It is a contraption made from recyclable PET (soda) bottles, CG corrugated sheets and a solution of water, chlorine and salt. By using these readily available materials and the sun as a renewable source of light, communities are empowered to use a cost-efficient, long-term alternative to electric light, which translates to a P200 to P400 monthly savings on their electric bills.
“We likewise commend the foundation [MyShelter] for spearheading this initiative which fosters cooperation between government, private-sector industries and the academe. Bosch is optimistic on the sustainability and long-term orientation of the program,” said Go.
In the Philippines, Bosch continues to support social housing, as marked by the ongoing 12-year partnership it continues to share with the Habitat for Humanity.
The company cultivates volunteerism (bayanihan) among its associates, as well as contributes its power-tools technology to ensure the timely delivery of Habitat housing units. In its recent initiative with MyShelter Foundation, Bosch technology proves to be the building-tool-of-choice, given its versatility and reliability.
Some 50 volunteers of employees, university scholars and students joined the Bosch team in fabricating and installing solar lighting units for the residents of Payatas. They engaged in different tasks—from the preparations (involving drilling of holes and organization of materials)—to the actual assembly and installation of the bottles in the homes.

In Photo: Myshelter Foundation executive director Illac Diaz in action at the “solar” lighting installation program in Payatas.

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