Amalie Obusan is the campaigner of Greenpeace Climate and Energy and she says, with regards to the solar lantern that they had put in the senate, “Energy revolution is a transformation of the global economy into one that is low carbon and sustainable in its production and consumption.”

This solar lantern measures six feet. It is made of rattan and Obusan says that this lantern is going to help the senators be reminded “that renewable energy is the clear solution to our problems with climate change and not nuclear or fossil fuels which is more catastrophic.” She also did add, “The main focus of this activity is to highlight how energy efficiency could work in the country and how renewable energy can be its backbone in the Philippines.”

Source: GMANews.TV

Post from: Blisstree

Solar Christmas Lantern Lights Up Philippine Senate

It is possible to adapt oil (kerosene) lamps to contain rechargeable batteries and LEDs.    The adaption below is shown without the glass globe (it reduces the amount of light) but it can probably be fitted if desired.  Others might want to line the glass globe with a thin translucent paper (such as tracing paper) to act as a light diffuser just like those old chinese  oil lanterns.
This main adaption is with the wick assembly which is replaced by a terminal strip (or two) containing both LEDs and connecting leads.  The LEDs can be directed in any direction by bending their wires.

Oil LampConversion

The NiCd batteries can be fitted inside the tank, if small enough, or underneath the tank.   In any case the bottom can be removed with tin opener/snips to make wiring easy.  The globe (glass covering) is removed and then the wick assembly and as well as the tank filler cap.  The terminal strip with LEDs will fit into the wick space B, a switch fits into the filler opening D from where the leads to he pv panel will leave.

Mounting LEDs  is quite simple. Just use a vertical terminal strip to mount several LEDs and fix it in the wick holder surrounded by a PVC tube post.    They can be put in parallel providing they are identical.   Otherwise they each need their own resistor.

Here’s how it looks after the conversion.

[source: biodesign ]

Post from: Blisstree

How to Convert a Kerosene Lantern to Solar

After the Earth Day, I decided to make time for this mini project of mine.

I’ve made a detailed documentation of this project including theory of operation, how it works, how to compute for the resistor value, and all these technical stuff.

Here’s a link to the detailed guide on how I did it.

DIY Solar Lantern part 1/3

DIY Solar Lantern part 2/3

DIY Solar Lantern part 3/3

Here are some of the pics.

[Image Source: Noel Bautista ]

Post from: Blisstree

DIY Solar Lantern