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Liter of Light is an open source design for a low-cost light tube (or deck prism or vault light) that refracts solar light to provide daytime interior lighting for dwellings with thin rooves. Daylighting is cheaper than using indoor electric lights during the day. The device is constructed simply, using a transparent two-liter bottle filled with water and a small amount of bleach to inhibit algal growth, and fitted into a hole in a roof. The device functions like a deck prism: during daytime the water inside the bottle refracts sunlight, delivering about as much light as a 40–60 watt incandescent bulb to the interior. A properly installed solar bottle can last up to 5 years.[1][2]

Key Information

History

[edit]
Moser lamps exhibited at the Seoul Design Forum, 2014.

Plastic bottles repurposed to provide indoor daylight lighting were first developed by Alfredo Moser of Brazil.[3] The concept was introduced as a social enterprise in the Philippines by Illac Diaz through the My Shelter Foundation in April 2011.[4] To promote sustainable development, Diaz implemented a local entrepreneur business model, enabling community members to assemble and install the bottle bulbs and earn income. Within months, the My Shelter Foundation expanded from a single carpenter in San Pedro, Laguna, to installing 15,000 solar bottle bulbs in twenty cities throughout the Philippines. This success inspired similar initiatives globally.[5]

The foundation also created a training center offering workshops for youth, businesses, and volunteers interested in building solar bottle bulbs in their communities.

Within the first year, over 200,000 bottle bulbs were installed worldwide. In 2014, Liter of Light set a goal to illuminate 1 million homes by the end of 2015.[6]

In January 2015, Liter of Light received the Zayed Future Energy Prize in the Non-Profit Organization category. The initiative’s founder, Illac Diaz, was presented with the award during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.[7] It was also selected as one of 120 Global Innovators for the EXPOLive Impact Innovation Grant program at EXPO 2020 in Dubai.[8]

Technology description

[edit]
Cross-section schematic of a Liter of Light solar bottle:
• Blue: bottle with water and bleach
• Green: glue or sealant

The Solar Bottle Bulb, as it is also known, is installed through the roofs of homes to refract sunlight and illuminate interior spaces.[9] The innovation consists in employing inexpensive, durable, and widely available materials to provide quality natural lighting. This offers a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative to electric lighting during daytime, particularly benefiting low-income urban populations.

The most common bottles used are 1.5-liter plastic containers. These are filled with water and a small amount of bleach to inhibit algae growth. The bottle is inserted through a hole in a corrugated metal roof and secured with a steel sheet acting as a lock to prevent slippage. Sealant is applied around the hole to ensure the installation is weatherproof. The water’s refractive properties diffuse sunlight, producing an omnidirectional light equivalent to a 40–60 watt incandescent bulb, depending on solar insolation.

Installation instructions and material lists are publicly available online, supporting the spread of the technology through open-source principles.[10]

Adhesive

[edit]

Selecting a durable, waterproof, and sun-resistant adhesive that effectively fills gaps is a key challenge in the installation process. Various local groups have tested different adhesives to balance cost and performance. Silicone-based and polyurethane adhesives have generally proven to be the most effective solutions.[citation needed] The inventor, Alfredo Moser, employed polyester resin to secure the bottles.[11]

Rigid glass bottles have also been utilized,[12] and may allow easier sealing compared to flexible plastic bottles. Some sealants chemically interact with plastic, causing brittleness over time.[13][14] Silicone-based sealants can form chemical bonds with glass, potentially enhancing the durability of the installation.

Countries

[edit]

Argentina

[edit]

Liter of Light operates in Argentina through the NGO Litro de Luz. Volunteers train communities to install and maintain the lights in homes and streets, with activities in Buenos Aires, La Matanza, Rosario, and Córdoba, and support for projects in Peru, Venezuela and Ecuador.[15] In 2019, the initiative won in the Sustainable Cities category at the sixth Latin America Verde Awards in Guayaquil, Ecuador, aiming to install about 400 systems per year to reduce waste and improve public health.[16]

Bangladesh

[edit]

Liter of Light with Light Foundation based in Chittagong developed a local version of the bottle light called 'Botol Bati,' costing approximately $2 to 2.50 USD and lasting 4 to 5 years. The organization aims to promote awareness of bottle lights in remote areas by training local school students.

Approximately 45% of the Bangladeshi population lack access to electricity, and about 24% live in slums where electricity is often obtained illegally. The Lights Foundation’s goal is to serve these communities.[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]

Brazil

[edit]
Rod-shaped Moser lamps on display at the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro.

In Brazil, the project began in December 2012 when Alanna Sousa and Pedro Santos decided to implement Liter of Light in the country. In 2013, Vitor Belota, who happened to be Alanna's neighbor, was also motivated to introduce Liter of Light to Brazil after learning about the project in Kenya. The trio met and conducted a pilot project, installing the first daytime solutions in two communities in Santa Catarina.

In 2015, recognizing that Brazilian communities presented distinct contexts and needs, the project began focusing on nighttime street lighting, carrying out its first installation in June of that year in the Vila Beira-Mar community, Rio de Janeiro.

Since then, Litro de Luz Brasil has become an established non-profit organization that has directly impacted over 20,000 Brazilians through more than 3,700 installations, reaching upwards of 120 communities nationwide.[25]

Chile

[edit]

Liter of Light began operating in Chile in 2015, installing 50 eco-friendly streetlights in Renca. The five-meter posts were built using bamboo, PVC, wood, and plastic bottles, fitted with solar panels and batteries lasting up to 28 hours.[26] The project, carried out with support from CCU and the Festival Internacional de Innovación Social (FIIS), provided sustainable lighting for streets, a plaza, and a multi-purpose sports court, benefiting families without regular electricity supply.[27]

China

[edit]

Liter Of Light China was created by three international students from China in 2016, and the first project in Rudong will be conducted in the early summer, 2017.

Colombia

[edit]

The Liter of Light movement in Colombia was initiated by Camilo Herrera in the small town of Duitama in the Boyacá Department, about 200 kilometers north of Bogotá.[28][29] After launching a pilot project in Bogotá in collaboration with Liter of Light Switzerland in February 2012, a local organization was established. The first bottle lights in Bogotá were installed in the Divino Niño and La Colina neighborhoods of Ciudad Bolívar.[30] Volunteers in Bogotá are also working closely with Un Techo Para Mi País to identify areas in need.[31]

Dominican Republic

[edit]

Liter of Light was started up in the Dominican Republic by the German volunteer Nicolai Rapp in 2015 who then distributed the project with other German and local volunteers in over 7 provinces.

Under the name Litro de Luz–República Dominicana, the group installed bottle and solar nightlights in more than 1,000 houses through global fundraising. In the focus of their movement are the rural areas without or with limited access to electricity. The idea was also presented to several local NGOs in seminars and workshops to reach all the off-grid communities of the country. Later, their efforts also focused on bringing the project to Haiti, where around 75% of the population has to live without access to electricity.[32]

Egypt

[edit]

A group of seven students from the French University in Egypt (UFE) began the Liter of Light project locally as part of a social and environmental development initiative.[citation needed]

In November 2014, PepsiCo announced that it would implement the Liter of Light project in three villages in Upper Egypt, in partnership with Sunutions, a solar solutions company, and the Masr ElKheir Foundation.[33]

France

[edit]

Liter of Light France was established in 2015. The French branch links educational projects in Europe with international cooperation activities. Its focus is to inform younger generations in Europe about energy poverty and the potential of low-cost solutions to address social and environmental challenges.[34]

It also seeks to share these approaches with communities in developing countries. In its international actions, Liter of Light France promotes accessible technological solutions and capacity building. The branch is coordinated by Olivier Lasbouygues.[35]

India

[edit]

Liter of Light was introduced in India in Vikarabad, a rural village in Telangana, in 2011. With support from several NGOs and organizations, awareness campaigns and workshops were conducted in cities including Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Jalpaiguri, and Delhi.

Beginning with a single bottle in Vikarabad, the Indian team now installs multiple units in homes of the underprivileged and mentors other organizations, NGOs, student groups, and communities in need. A demonstration of Liter of Light took place at TEDxChristUniversity in November 2012.[36] In 2014, the Desire Foundation in Bhubaneswar implemented the project during Diwali to celebrate the festival of lights with underprivileged communities.

Kenya

[edit]

The Liter of Light initiative in Kenya began in 2011 with the youth organization Koch Hope, which installed solar bottle lights in the Korogocho informal settlement in Nairobi Province.[37]

In 2013, initiative began operating in the Maasai Mara region through local training programs that enable communities to produce solar lights using recycled bottles and local materials.[38] These lights provide homes with basic night-time illumination and serve as communal lighting to reduce the risk of wildlife damaging crops and livestock.[38]

Malaysia

[edit]

Liter of Light Malaysia operates as a local chapter of the global initiative, aiming to provide affordable, sustainable lighting solutions to underserved communities. The project focuses on adapting the solar bottle light technology to local conditions and materials. It engages volunteers and partners with community organizations to implement installations and raise awareness about renewable lighting options.[39]

Mexico

[edit]

Liter of Light was initiated in Mexico in early 2013, sponsored by Qohélet A.C.[40] The group was founded by Tere Gonzalez, who had previously worked with Liter of Light in India and Spain. Operations began with a pilot program in the state of Chihuahua, benefiting 114 people. As of September 2013, the group was working to complete the next phase of installations in Ajusco, Mexico City, aimed at benefiting an additional 500 families.[41]

Nepal

[edit]

"Ujyalo," meaning "light" in Nepali, is a project modeled after the Liter of Light initiative. The program focuses on producing solar bottle lights to improve access to sustainable daytime lighting in Nepal. It was established by the Ujyalo Foundation.[42]

Netherlands

[edit]

Liter of Light Netherlands coordinates international projects by raising funds, conducting training, and collaborating with local partners.[43]

In 2016, it partnered with the NGO Lend a Hand to install bottle lights in Potchefstroom, South Africa, with local training held in Maastricht. The following year, representatives and students from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, in cooperation with the Myanmar Red Cross Society, installed solar lanterns for 67 households in Taungdwingyi township, and held workshops on maintenance.[44]

Pakistan

[edit]

A partnership was established with the Ace Welfare Foundation in Pakistan.[45] Given the objectives of both organizations and the fact that more than 11% of the Pakistani population lives without access to electricity, including 50,000 villages that are completely disconnected from the national grid,[46] the partnership mobilizes local volunteers and corporate sponsors to implement the Liter of Light project and expand it to thousands of households.[47]

Panama

[edit]

In 2016, Liter of Light Panama was founded to address the issue of energy poverty affecting thousands of people nationwide. The initiative focuses on sustainable and ecological lighting solutions while engaging volunteers to support affected communities.[48][49]

Peru

[edit]

Established in 2019 and led by José Luis Arrieta, Liter of Light Peru carried out an early project in a Moquegua community, where solar lamps replaced hazardous candle lighting, improving local safety.[50]

Philippines

[edit]

The solution was first launched in the Philippines by Illac Diaz under the MyShelter Foundation.[51] As of July 2011, the organization had installed 10,000 bottles in the Philippines,[52] and shortly thereafter reached 15,000 installations,[53] with a goal for 2012 to reach 1 million homes.[52] In order to help the idea grow sustainably, they implemented a “local entrepreneur” business model, whereby bottles are assembled and installed by locals who can earn a small income for their work. Additionally, a Liter of Light office has been established that conducts volunteer workshops.

Spain

[edit]

In June 2012, Liter of Light España collaborated with the Spanish NGO Fundación Secretariado Gitano to install daylight bottle lamps in several Roma households in Cañada Real, Madrid. The pilot project brought natural light into dwellings that lacked adequate daylight and electricity supply.[54]

Switzerland

[edit]

Liter of Light Switzerland began as a project of the SIMagination Challenge at the University of St. Gallen.[55] The project expanded and was established as a student club at the University of St. Gallen, and later as a non-profit organization in Switzerland in November 2011.[56] The organization's first project was to plan and implement a pilot in Bogotá together with Litro de Luz Colombia.[57] The pilot took place in February 2012 and, together, they installed bottles in Ciudad Bolívar and Bogotá. Throughout 2012, Liter of Light Switzerland undertook additional projects in Spain, India, and Bangladesh.

The Swiss NGO plans to continue sharing lessons learned and spreading the concept via a global platform, as well as launching more pilots around the world.[58]

Tanzania

[edit]

In Tanzania, the Liter of Light initiative was launched in April 2013 through a collaboration between World Unite! and local non-governmental organizations. The project operates in multiple locations, including Dar es Salaam, Moshi/Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar.[59]

Uganda

[edit]

In 2013, a local Liter of Light project was currently in development in Uganda.[60]

United States

[edit]

In the United States, Liter of Light USA operates as an independent organization headquartered in New York City. The organization conducts workshops and events to educate the public and engage volunteers in sustainable lighting solutions.[61] It has partnered with military and community groups to implement practical training and installation projects.[62]

Zambia

[edit]

A local project is underway.[citation needed]

Awards and recognition

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Liter of Light

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Liter of Light is a global open-source initiative founded in 2011 in the by the MyShelter Foundation to address in off-grid communities through sustainable, low-cost lighting solutions made from recycled plastic bottles and solar technology. The core technology involves filling a one-liter PET bottle with and a small amount of , then sealing and installing it through a to refract into interior spaces, providing illumination equivalent to a 60-watt incandescent without electricity or emissions. For nighttime use, the system can be upgraded with affordable LED bulbs, micro-solar panels, and batteries, creating versatile devices such as home lights, mobile chargers, and streetlights using locally sourced materials. Originating as part of low-carbon building efforts in Laguna province, the project gained momentum after Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, leading to its formal establishment as a global movement that year and rapid expansion through grassroots volunteer networks and social media replication. By 2017, it had installed over 350,000 bottle lights benefiting 353,000 households across more than 15 countries and reducing carbon emissions by replacing kerosene lamps and bulbs. As of 2024, Liter of Light operates in over 30 countries, illuminating the lives of more than one million people annually and empowering 15,000 families (affecting 75,000 individuals) through programs like "Light It Forward," which distributes lights while training locals in assembly and maintenance. The initiative emphasizes community empowerment by teaching green skills to thousands of volunteers and engaging over 650 women's cooperatives in and distribution, fostering local jobs and self-reliance in climate-vulnerable areas. It serves as a global ambassador for 's International Day of Light, aligning with education for on , , and energy access, while creating large-scale solar art installations since 2018 to raise awareness. Recognized by the World Habitat Awards and the UN's Momentum for Change initiative, Liter of Light promotes open-source designs that reduce fire risks from traditional lighting and cut lifetime carbon emissions by up to 1,000 kg per device over five years. In 2025, it achieved a for the largest display of solar-powered lamps.

History

Founding and Early Development

Liter of Light was founded in 2011 by Illac Diaz through his MyShelter Foundation, established in 2006, as a direct response to affecting off-grid slums in the . The project sought to deliver sustainable, low-cost lighting to underserved communities lacking reliable , drawing from Diaz's prior experiences with disaster recovery efforts following typhoons like Ondoy in 2009. The first prototype—a daylighting device using a recycled filled with water and —was tested that same year in the Tondo slums of , illuminating dark interiors without . The concept was inspired by Brazilian mechanic Alfredo Moser's 2002 innovation of filling plastic bottles with water to refract sunlight into homes, which MyShelter adapted into a scalable, roof-installed light-refracting device suitable for corrugated metal roofs common in Philippine shanties. This adaptation emphasized local materials and simplicity, transforming waste plastic bottles into functional lighting while addressing both energy access and environmental waste issues. Initial rollout in 2011 targeted disaster-affected areas recovering from Typhoon Ondoy, with the project installing its first 10,000 units in slums to provide immediate daylighting relief. Funding came through partnerships and foundation resources, enabling rapid deployment to vulnerable households. By focusing on post-disaster zones, the initiative demonstrated its potential for quick, impactful intervention in energy-scarce environments. Early implementation faced hurdles such as securing consistent supplies of clear plastic bottles amid variable and overcoming resident skepticism about the device's in harsh weather. These were addressed via hands-on sessions for local volunteers, who learned to assemble and install the units, fostering and ensuring sustainable adoption. This model laid the groundwork for broader empowerment, later evolving the project to include solar-powered nighttime lighting innovations.

Global Expansion and Key Milestones

In 2012, Liter of Light rapidly expanded within the , installing thousands of solar bottle bulbs in low-income homes across multiple cities to address following the project's initial launch. The project's global expansion began in 2013, with early implementations in countries including and , introducing the open-source design to communities facing similar lighting challenges. By 2014, the initiative scaled significantly through its open-source model, which enabled global replication using readily available materials, reaching over 200,000 installations worldwide and setting the stage for a goal of one million lights by the following year. This expansion was bolstered by the project's emphasis on community-led training, allowing local groups to produce and distribute the devices independently. In 2015, Liter of Light received international recognition from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) through its Momentum for Change initiative, highlighting the project's role in access, alongside winning the Zayed Future Energy Prize for its innovative solar solutions. A key milestone came in 2024 when Liter of Light achieved a for the largest display of solar-powered light bulbs, featuring 3,000 units assembled by students in with the Al-Futtaim Education Foundation, demonstrating the scalability of community-built solar technology. Following the onset of the in 2020, the organization adapted by leveraging its open-source framework to maintain momentum, including remote skill-sharing to support ongoing installations in vulnerable areas despite in-person restrictions. In 2023, Liter of Light deepened its ties with as a global ambassador for the International Day of , partnering on education programs that train youth in green skills and sustainable energy practices across 32 countries. Marking a recent highlight in youth-led after COP28, Liter of Light set another on July 1, 2025, for the largest display of solar-powered lamps, comprising 2,743 hand-built units installed in in partnership with Sun Life and the , with a total of 3,500 lamps subsequently donated to underserved communities.

Technology

Liter of Light's technologies represent prominent, practical examples within a broader trend of creative, low-cost DIY solar gadgets that repurpose household and waste materials such as plastic bottles, old CDs, and aluminum foil. These projects, often shared on platforms like YouTube, Instructables, and eco/DIY blogs, include daylighting devices like solar bottle lights, solar cookers made from cardboard boxes or pizza boxes lined with aluminum foil to concentrate sunlight for cooking or boiling water, and novelty concentrators using arrays of old CDs combined with aluminum foil to focus sunlight for heating small objects or as entertaining "solar death rays." While many such initiatives are educational, novelty-oriented, or small-scale and do not constitute high-efficiency photovoltaic electricity generation, Liter of Light has refined and scaled the solar bottle concept into reliable, community-deployed solutions for off-grid lighting and power.

Daylighting Devices

The Moses Bottle, the flagship daylighting device of Liter of Light, utilizes a recycled one-liter PET plastic bottle as its core component. The bottle is filled with and approximately 10 ml (two capfuls) of to inhibit algal growth and maintain clarity. This simple assembly is designed to be inserted into a roof opening, where it captures and redirects sunlight into enclosed spaces without requiring electricity. The underlying physics relies on and within the water-filled bottle. enters the exposed top portion above the roofline and interacts with the water-air interface, causing the light rays to reflect internally and diffuse evenly in all directions. This process produces an omnidirectional illumination equivalent to a 40-60 watt incandescent , effectively brightening interiors during daylight hours and outperforming simple roof openings or covers in light distribution. Installation entails cutting a precise hole in a to accommodate the bottle and securing it with a custom corrugated iron adapter, typically a galvanized sheet with concentric circular cuts for a tight fit. The assembly is then sealed using or rubber around the edges and rivets to ensure and structural integrity. With proper setup, the device requires minimal and boasts a lifespan exceeding five years, as the sealed water solution remains stable over time. At a production cost of under $2 per unit, the Moses Bottle leverages locally sourced waste materials, making it highly accessible for low-income communities. By repurposing discarded PET bottles, the initiative diverts significant plastic waste from landfills, with global deployments having reused hundreds of thousands of bottles to date and promoting broader environmental sustainability through reduced material consumption.

Solar-Powered Innovations

In 2013, the Liter of Light project evolved its original daylighting device into a hybrid solar-powered lamp by integrating low-cost LED circuits, rechargeable batteries, and small solar panels directly into the bottle base, enabling 6-8 hours of nighttime illumination after a few hours of charging. This development, led by the MyShelter Foundation in collaboration with the Electronics Engineering Department, aimed to address the limitations of passive lighting by providing an active, electricity-free solution for off-grid communities. The core components of these early solar kits include a 1-watt for charging, a 3.7-volt (typically 2200 mAh capacity) for , high-efficiency white LEDs (1 watt, producing 90-100 lumens), and a basic circuit with an automatic switch using and BJT transistors to activate the light at , without a separate due to the system's simplicity. These elements are housed in a durable pipe or attached to the upcycled bottle, with the total production cost ranging from $5 to $10 per unit, making it accessible for widespread deployment. Assembly is designed for community participation, requiring only basic tools like screwdrivers, wire strippers, and soldering irons, along with open-source blueprints that allow local groups to manufacture and customize the kits using readily available materials. Volunteers the surface-mount components onto a , wire the and battery, and seal the unit into a protective enclosure, often during short training workshops that empower participants with green skills. This hands-on process has been refined over time to support scalable production in over 30 countries. Subsequent advancements have focused on modularity and versatility for challenging environments, including disaster relief efforts where kits are adapted into portable reading lanterns, lights, or mobile charging systems with USB ports to power devices like phones during crises, such as post-typhoon recovery operations. By 2022, these modular designs were integrated into broader campaigns like "Light It Forward," enabling communities to assemble and distribute customizable solar battery kits that combine micro solar panels with solarettes for multifunctional use. In pilot projects as of 2024, enhancements include improved durability for extreme conditions and expanded open-source resources to facilitate local innovation in solar applications.

Operations

Geographical Reach

Liter of Light has established a presence in over 30 countries since its inception in 2011, focusing on off-grid and energy-poor communities in the Global South. As of 2024, the initiative has installed lights in more than 1 million households worldwide, illuminating the lives of approximately 1.5 million people. In 2025, partnerships like one with distributed over 1,900 solar lamps in rural and during . The majority of operations target , , and , with representative examples including substantial deployments in the (over 150,000 households as of early expansion phases), , , , and in Asia; and in Africa; and , , , the , and in Latin America. Adaptations to local environments are integral, with the open-source design using readily available materials tailored to needs, such as in arid or flood-prone regions. Involvement in and remains limited, primarily in countries like , the , , the , and the , where efforts emphasize training programs and funding support rather than direct installations. Key partnerships include collaborations with the (UNDP), , and local NGOs, alongside over 650 women's cooperatives that drive community-level implementation.

Community Training and Implementation

Liter of Light employs a hands-on model that emphasizes short, practical workshops to equip local participants with green skills for assembling solar lighting devices. These sessions, often conducted in community settings, focus on and women's cooperatives, where groups of about five participants learn to build simple solar LED lights using recycled materials and basic tools, inspired by approaches like the Grameen model. By 2023, the initiative had involved over 2,800 young volunteers globally in such , fostering self-reliance and job creation in . Implementation begins with community consultations to assess site suitability, particularly roof conditions for safe installation of the devices, ensuring they fit thin or corrugated structures common in off-grid areas. Community-led installations follow, where trained locals, supported by entrepreneurs or volunteers, deploy the lights in batches, such as seeding 100 to 500 homes per project through efforts. Follow-up maintenance is handled by designated "light ambassadors" from the community, who monitor installations, perform repairs, and address issues to ensure long-term functionality of the simple, durable designs. Programs prioritize inclusivity by targeting marginalized groups, including women in correctional facilities, persons with disabilities, indigenous communities, and disaster-affected populations. For instance, post-Typhoon Haiyan efforts in Tacloban's "Corridors of Light" engaged local survivors in building and installing lights to restore essential illumination. The initiative's scalability relies on an open-source framework, with kits and instructions shared via online resources and shipped to partners in over 30 countries, enabling local production without heavy reliance on imports. Post-2020, virtual training through campaigns like "Light It Forward" has expanded reach, engaging over 3,000 participants in the alone in remote sessions that build capacity for assembly and deployment.

Impact

Social and Environmental Effects

The deployment of Liter of Light's solar solutions has significantly reduced indoor in off-grid communities by displacing the use of lamps, which are a major source of harmful fumes leading to respiratory illnesses. In areas where traditional lighting contributes to risks, the initiative's lights prevent exposure to toxic emissions, aligning with broader studies on alternatives that highlight decreased incidence of respiratory cases. Additionally, by providing reliable illumination, these installations enhance household safety, reducing fire hazards associated with open-flame lamps and lowering accident rates in low-light environments. On the educational front, the additional hours of enable children in energy-poor homes to extend study time beyond daylight, fostering improved learning outcomes and academic performance. Health metrics from implementations show a notable decrease in among users, while overall accident rates in lit spaces have dropped, supporting WHO guidelines on safe lighting for vulnerable populations. Gender equity is advanced through the program's emphasis on women-led training and installations, with women's cooperatives comprising a substantial portion of micro-entrepreneurs and solar engineers involved in projects across multiple countries. Environmentally, Liter of Light contributes to substantial CO2 emission reductions by replacing fossil fuel-based lighting; each solar light offsets approximately 1,000 kg of CO2 over its five-year lifespan. The use of recycled plastic bottles for these devices also mitigates waste, diverting materials that would otherwise pollute landfills and waterways. As of 2024, deployments have reached over 1 million households globally. Community training plays a key role in sustaining these benefits by empowering locals to maintain installations. In 2025, initiatives like a for the largest display of solar-powered lamps in further raised awareness and expanded reach. Despite these gains, challenges persist, particularly in regions with heavy rainfall, where occasional leaks can occur if adhesives fail to provide a durable seal; this issue is addressed through ongoing experimentation with improved, leak-proof glues by local implementers.

Economic and Educational Benefits

The Liter of Light project delivers substantial economic benefits to low-income households by significantly reducing lighting expenses. By replacing costly lamps or grid electricity with solar-powered bottle lights, each installation enables monthly savings of approximately $8-10 per household (as of 2015 data), freeing up funds for other essential needs such as food and . These cost reductions are particularly impactful in off-grid areas, where imported solar alternatives can be up to three times more expensive, allowing communities to achieve energy access without incurring debt. The initiative also stimulates local economies through the creation of micro-jobs in , assembly, and installation. Training programs empower groups, often comprising five women per unit, to produce lights using locally sourced materials, thereby generating and cutting logistics costs by 70%. These efforts have mobilized hundreds of individuals in the for hands-on production and distribution roles, contributing to broader job creation across the project's in more than 30 countries. On the educational front, Liter of Light partners with schools to embed its technology into STEM curricula, fostering practical learning in , , and . These workshops train thousands of students annually, equipping them with skills to build and maintain solar devices while linking concepts like light to real-world applications. A notable example includes 2024 programs in , where collaborations with local organizations integrated light assembly into lessons on clean energy, enhancing student engagement and innovation. Entrepreneurship is further advanced through community-led cooperatives that produce and sell lights, with women's groups retaining 20% of as sustainable . This model has generated collective earnings across projects while boosting employment in trained regions by providing pathways into green manufacturing. In the long term, the transferable skills—such as solar assembly and maintenance—enable participants to innovate in other green technologies, reducing unemployment in urban slums by establishing local hubs for eco-friendly enterprises.

Recognition

Awards

Liter of Light received the World Habitat Award in 2014 from the World Habitat Awards scheme, co-managed by the (UN-Habitat) and the International Union of Local Authorities (UCLG), for its innovative sustainable housing solutions that utilize recycled plastic bottles to provide affordable daylighting in off-grid communities. The award highlighted the project's rapid scale, recognizing installations benefiting over 350,000 homes across 15 countries within its first 20 months, demonstrating a low-cost, open-source approach to addressing in informal settlements. In 2015, the initiative was honored with the Zayed Future Energy Prize in the non-profit category for its pioneering solutions, including solar-upgraded bottle lights that reduce reliance on and promote community self-sufficiency. This prestigious award, worth $1.5 million, provided significant funding to expand operations globally, enabling the distribution of sustainable lighting kits to additional underserved regions. The organization earned the St Andrews Prize for the Environment in 2016, awarded to its Brazilian chapter for in delivering eco-friendly lighting to energy-poor areas, with the US$100,000 prize supporting further training and deployment in . This recognition underscored Liter of Light's model of empowering local communities through hands-on solar technology assembly, fostering green jobs and environmental conservation. In 2023, Liter of Light was selected as one of the Green Citizens projects at the ChangeNOW Summit, acknowledging its community-led initiatives that integrate with solar to combat energy access barriers. The designation emphasized the program's role in building resilience among vulnerable populations by teaching sustainable skills that enhance learning environments without .

Notable Achievements

Liter of Light has earned recognition through several Guinness World Records for innovative solar lighting displays. In June 2025, the organization, in collaboration with Sun Life of (Philippines), Inc. and the , achieved the record for the largest display of solar-powered lamps, consisting of 2,743 hand-built units arranged in to highlight and . Earlier, in 2024, Liter of Light set a for the world's largest solar artwork, featuring 3,000 student-built solar lamps forming a Ghaf tree installation in the UAE to promote environmental awareness. The project's founder, Illac Diaz, has amplified its message through influential media appearances, including his 2012 TEDxRio+20 talk "Genius of the Water Lamp," which detailed the invention's potential to combat using recycled materials. By 2025, Liter of Light had reached more than 1.5 million people across over 30 countries, impacting communities by providing affordable illumination and fostering green skills training. At the 2023 COP28 UN Climate Change Conference, Liter of Light partnered with students from the community in the UAE to create a large-scale net-zero artwork installation, showcasing solar-powered lights to emphasize youth-led during the event's opening. The initiative's open-source design has enabled widespread adoption, with blueprints freely available for local replication and inspiring grassroots adaptations in various regions worldwide.

References

  1. https://unfccc.int/climate-action/momentum-for-change/lighthouse-activities/a-litre-of-light-philippines
  2. https://www.equatorinitiative.org/2024/11/12/liter-of-light/
  3. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/liter-light
  4. https://literoflight.org/about-us/
  5. https://world-habitat.org/awards/winners/liter-of-light/
  6. https://www.sunlife.com.ph/en/about-us/newsroom/press-release/2025/sun-life-philippines-achieve-guinness-world-records-title/
  7. https://borgenproject.org/liter-of-light-2/
  8. https://www.rappler.com/moveph/40350-the-innovator-illac-diaz/
  9. https://www.npr.org/2011/12/28/144385288/in-philippine-slums-capturing-light-in-a-bottle
  10. https://www.philstar.com/news-commentary/2013/04/26/935067/british-billionaire-promotes-solar-bulbs
  11. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-23536914
  12. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/dec/23/sunlight-bulbs-plastic-bottles-light
  13. https://inhabitat.com/mit-students-install-10000-revolutionary-solar-bottle-lamps-in-manila-slums/
  14. https://currystonefoundation.org/practice/liter-of-light/
  15. https://solve.mit.edu/challenges/elevateprize/solutions/34337
  16. https://www.climatechangenews.com/2012/01/10/let-there-be-light-solar-power-bottles-bring-affordable-light-to-the-masses/
  17. https://globalvoices.org/2014/08/23/liter-of-light-homes-electricity-poverty-invention/
  18. https://masdar.ae/en/news/newsroom/un-top-climate-official-visits-zayed-future-energy-prize-winner-liter-of-light-in-manila-23
  19. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/767559-largest-solar-powered-light-bulb-display
  20. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-green-citizens-changenow-2023-0
  21. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/773186-largest-display-of-solar-powered-lamps
  22. https://literoflight.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Liter_Of_Light-How_to_build_a_Solar_Bottle_Bulb-English.pdf
  23. http://archive.sciendo.com/BRJ/brj.2014.61.issue-2/brj-2014-0009/brj-2014-0009.pdf
  24. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303907765_Liter_of_Light_-_A_Study_on_the_Solar_Illumination_Provided_by_a_Water_Bottle
  25. https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Solar-Bottle-Lamp/
  26. https://www.businessinsider.com/liter-of-light-poor-homes-communities-old-recycled-plastic-bottles-solar-technology-clean-energy-philippines-2017-6
  27. https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/mar/01/silent-killer-kerosene-air-pollution-solar-liter-of-light-india-pakistan-philippines
  28. https://www.scribd.com/document/316592068/Solar-Night-Light-Operations-Manual
  29. https://www.archdaily.com/1028594/healing-light-the-impact-of-liter-of-light-on-community-well-being
  30. https://newsroom.porsche.com/en_PME/2025/sustainability/porsche-partners-with-liter-of-light-38314.html
  31. https://greenbyjohn.com/liter-of-light-visits-green-school/
  32. https://www.undp.org/acceleratorlabs/peoplepowered/solutions/LiterofLight
  33. https://publications.iadb.org/publications/english/document/Proptech-in-Latin-America-and-the-Caribbean-How-Technology-Can-Help-Reduce-the-Housing-Deficit.pdf
  34. https://metro.style/metro-style/people/2025/7/20/liter-of-light-s-guinness-world-record-for-largest-display-of-solar-powered-lamps-1632
  35. https://world-habitat.org/?post_id=8643&generate_pdf=1&nonce=0f425e04a3&acf_field=long_copy
  36. https://www.loe.org/shows/segments.html?programID=15-P13-00014&segmentID=7
  37. https://solve.mit.edu/challenges/learning-for-civic-action-challenge/solutions/75066
  38. https://mediabrief.com/porsche-partners-with-liter-of-light-to-light-up-dreams-in-india-on-diwali/
  39. https://solve.mit.edu/solutions/74424
  40. https://unhabitat.org/world-habitat-awards-201415-winners-announced
  41. https://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/news-from-our-foreign-service-postsupdate/5254-philippines-liter-of-light-wins-zayed-future-energy-prize
  42. https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/zayed-future-energy-prize-winner-shows-that-low-cost-supplies-can-light-up-communities-1.114924
  43. https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/st-andrews-prize/previous-winners/
  44. https://www.conocophillips.com/sustainability/sustainability-news/story/st-andrews-prize-for-the-environment/
  45. https://www.tatlerasia.com/power-purpose/sustainability/liter-of-light-sets-guinness-world-record-with-solar-artwork
  46. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HexmeiG9Jb4
  47. https://me.thedawoodibohras.com/2023/12/03/dawoodi-bohra-students-highlight-cop28-opening-with-large-scale-net-zero-artwork/
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