2008 Economic Development Award Laureate
The Portable Light Project
| Laureate Country: United States |
| Project Countries: Brazil, Mexico, Nicaragua, Venezuelan and Brazilian Amazonas, South Africa |
| Website: http://portablelight.org |
| Video: 2008videos/Portable_Light_Project.mov |
The Portable Light Project embeds flexible solar nano-technology into textiles that can harvest energy and generate light.
Two billion people live in remote areas without electricity, most in extreme poverty. Solar power can improve education, incomes, and healthcare, but large glass-based solar panels are fragile and too expensive to manufacture and transport over rough terrain.
The Portable Light Project Team created a lightweight, portable solar textile kit. The kit allows people to use traditional weaving and sewing techniques to create clothing, blankets, and bags that harvest energy. The semi-nomadic Huichol people of Mexico have integrated the system into traditional woven bags, so as people go about their daily activities, they also collect sunlight. At night, the bags become a light source, offering unprecedented opportunities to study and work after dark.
