Brazilian mechanic Alfredo Moser discovered that a plastic bottle with water and chlorine can illuminate the interior of a house during the day, thus replacing the use of electrical energy. These lamps work by refracting sunlight, using chlorine to prevent the water from turning green due to mold or algae. After filling the bottle with water and a little chlorine, a hole is made in the roof and the bottle is put under pressure, after fixing it with a resin to prevent leaks. According to Alfredo, it is estimated that depending on the amount of sun during the day, the light can reach 40 to 60 watts.
The “Moser Method” has been used around the world, for example in the Philippines where the organization MyShelter has installed this type of light since 2011 and has also taught people how to install them, thus creating jobs. The method is used in fifteen other countries, including India, Bangladesh, Argentina and Fiji, among others.
In terms of energy and sustainability, a Moser lamp does not emit CO2, while a 50-watt light bulb turned on for 14 hours a day emits almost 200 kg of CO2 in a year; The bottles used are always recycled and come from the same community, so no energy is used to transport them.
Moser continues to live simply despite having changed the lives of many people who use his invention to illuminate homes, small shops and home hydroponic farms. He describes his invention as follows: “It is a divine light. God gave the sun to everyone, and the light is for everyone. If someone wants to use it, he can do it and save money… A man installed these lamps and in one month he had saved enough to pay for the essentials for his son, who was about to be born. Can you imagine it?
This invention, in addition to being inspiring, shows that there are sustainable options available to everyone.