A mechanic from Brazil invented a way to light up his house during the day without relying on electricity. Alfredo Moser has been using plastic bottles filled with water with a little bleach to light up dark rooms since 2002, and his idea has now started to spread.
Moser's system, which uses the refraction of sunlight, is estimated to be installed in over a million homes by the end of 2013.
The secret of the liquid that fills the plastic bottles we usually throw away lies in two caps of bleach added to the water. This prevents the water from turning green when exposed to light.
Moser drills a hole in the roof and then mounts the bottle, which he then insulates.
Depending on the strength of the sun, the light that fills the room is equivalent to a light bulb with a power of between 40 and 60 watts.
The mechanic came up with this idea, called "Moser's light", during one of the many blackouts in Brazil.
The initial idea came from his boss, who suggested using water bottles as lenses to direct the sun's rays onto dry grass and light up tires in the event of a power outage. Moser then turned this idea into his own concept.
"God gave the Sun to everyone and light is meant for everyone. Whoever wants it, saves money. These "bulbs" are completely free," Moser told the BBC.
He managed to make a few bucks from his invention by installing his invention in the homes of his neighbors, but this invention did not make him nearly as wealthy.
Moser lamps are said to have been installed in over 140.000 homes in the Philippines where more than half the population lives in poverty as well as in homes in 15 other countries such as Argentina, India and Fiji.
Moser never imagined that his invention would have such an impact on people's lives and he gets goosebumps every time he thinks of all the people using the "Moser Light".
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