Alfredo Moser: Bottle light inventor proud to be poor

BBC News Magazine, BBC World Service, Uberaba, Brazil ^ | 12 August 2013 | By Gibby Zobel

[PrayAndVoteConservesInLibsOut]

Alfredo Moser's invention is lighting up the world. In 2002, the Brazilian mechanic had a light-bulb moment and came up with a way of illuminating his house during the day without electricity - using nothing more than plastic bottles filled with water and a tiny bit of bleach.

In the last two years his innovation has spread throughout the world. It is expected to be in one million homes by early next year.

So how does it work? Simple refraction of sunlight, explains Moser, as he fills an empty two-litre plastic bottle.

"Add two capfuls of bleach to protect the water so it doesn't turn green [with algae]. The cleaner the bottle, the better," he adds.

Wrapping his face in a cloth he makes a hole in a roof tile with a drill. Then, from the bottom upwards, he pushes the bottle into the newly-made hole.

"You fix the bottle in with polyester resin. Even when it rains, the roof never leaks - not one drop."

The lamps work best with a black cap - a film case can also be used "An engineer came and measured the light," he says. "It depends on how strong the sun is but it's more or less 40 to 60 watts," he says.

[Pecos]

Seriously low chance of freezing in Brazil, along the equator. The temperature is quite constant, like in Hawaii, limiting the expansion and contraction issue. And less tramatic than having to bury your kid when your jerry-rigged stolen electricity short-circuits.

[ansel12]

How well does it illuminte the house at night? That was my question too. Also, how well does this work in the winter when they freeze? How well does it insulate? And I doubt they last very long before leaking starts considering the degradation of plastic from UV and the constant expansion and contraction associated with the warming and cooling. Also, what if you don't have cathedral ceilings for the "water filled skylight"? Who thought this was a good idea again?

That has to be the most loser, whiner post that I have seen in a long time.

[Osage Orange]

. "If you give the light for nothing, people don't maintain them," Iqbal says. "They don't understand their value."

Iqbal for POTUS!!!

[rusty schucklefurd]

I think it is a great idea, especially good for people in 3rd World countries. As for the environmentalists, I would love to see them drilling holes in THEIR roofs to install the soda bottles while dispensing with all of their regular lighting. But I am not holding my breathe. This is just another thing for the masses, but not for the elites. Along the same lines as Sheryl Crow pronouncing that we should only be allowed one square of toilet tissue at a time to meet our needs while using the toilet.

[null and void]

Then I suggest VERY STRONGLY that you do not use this invention.

[Tenacious 1]

That has to be the most loser, whiner post that I have seen in a long time.

Fair enough. My perspective was the practicality of me being able to use this technology. With respect to poor Brazilians, this is brilliant.

Does this clarification post get me out of the "loser whiner post" stable? :o)

Thank you for forcing me to reconsider the context of the story.

[PrayAndVoteConservesInLibsOut]

Actually, If I understand it right, it is refracted light, which takes the light from inside the bottle and then illuminates the surrounding area as would a 40 watt bulb. So at night unless the moon is bright, there probably still is darkness. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[Secret Agent Man]

i was thinking a ship’s deck prism.

[null and void]

Does this clarification post get me out of the "loser whiner post" stable? :o)

I can't speak for Ansel12, but it does for me.

[Secret Agent Man]

combo of that and the solartube idea.

[Secret Agent Man]

it will be when the shtf.

[agere_contra]

you can't get more light in through the hole than hits the hole to start with

The thing is you have extended the 'light-catching area' above the roof. So you have increased the amount of light coming through the roof at all times of day except noon.

[dalereed]

Anything that stupid he deserves to be poor!!

[Hot Tabasco]

After a half dozen holes were drilled in my roof and the bottles inserted, I discovered the light doesn't penetrate the attic floor.....

[sheana]

My brother bought a condo that has 2 solartubes installed. One is in the kitchen right over the prep area and the other is over the entryway. It is amazing how much light they put out. We haven’t checked how but they also put out light at night, like a very bright nightlight.
They actually are super cool but I checked and they are kind of expensive.

[GeronL]

This is great for 3rd world countries, not like he’d get rich with something like this though.

[GeronL]

lol.

tin roof shanties in 3rd world countries don’t generally have attics

[HeadOn]

Now this is what my old Engineering Professor would call, “elegant”. Very simple, yet very effective.

Obviously not for houses like ours, but a tremendous advance for third world folks who can’t get/afford electricity but need light during the day.

(P.S. I’m often a pretty cynical guy. If I shake MY head at your cynicism, you have a problem, in my opinion. This guy is not a politician, he’s not trying to be famous or rich, and he’s not claiming he’s found the solution to the world’s energy problems. He’s also not trying to sell you on it. HE’S JUST OFFERING HELP TO PEOPLE WHO NEED IT. So all you “so what” guys out there, please just take a deep breath, and realize, not everything deserves to be reviled.)

[GeronL]

bump

[HeadOn]

Nicely posted.