GravityLight: lighting for the developing countries

1.5 Billion people live off the electric grid

The Solar Muscle solar-powered LED light, developed in Australia & Argentina, made in China and used in Africa and the rest of the world.

Its power and benefits compared to other lights come from its simplicity:

 Just one button: the on/off switch No moving or separate parts, no connectors needed Easy to connect to walls, roofs using screws, wires or even sticks!

Standard-sized batteries, easy to replace.

Fully Solar powered
Small and light
Connectable: join more lights when needed!
Click together to form a wall of light!
Weather- & shockproof
Brandable
Most important: bright & affordable: earned back in a month of kerosene savings!

http://flexiwaysolar.com/the-solution-our-solar-powered-led-light/

Build your own wind turbine

Hugh Piggott has confirmed dates for the delivery of his workshop in Kilkenny. This is a great opportunity for participants to learn ‘first hand’ from the master himself!

The course will take place from August 13th to 18th at our centre in Ennisnag.

Full Details on the course can be found here. Hugh Piggott Wind turbine Course

View full details on Flyer

Course fee will be €350 to attend with a  limited number of places available.

we will also hold a one day workshop on the Saturday (18th) covering off-grid power

Fee for the Saturday workshop only is  €50 Off grid power workshop

Please call our office on 056 7730005 for more information.

You can also fill out an enquiry form on our contact page.

Cheap, effective shelter for disaster relief

Ted Talks: Michael McDaniel: Cheap, effective shelter for disaster relief 

Michael McDaniel designed housing for disaster relief zones -- inexpensive, easy to transport, even beautiful – but found that no one was willing to build it. Persistent and obsessed, he decided to go it alone. At TEDxAustin, McDaniel show us his Exo Reaction Housing Solution and shares how he's dedicating his free time to working with suppliers and manufacturers to prepare for the next natural disaster.

Michael McDaniel is a graphic designer using his skills to help people in meaningful ways. Full bio »

View the Video presentation on the Ted Video Page

The Spare One - Emergency Cell phone

The world’s most usable emergency cell phone?
The $69.99 SpareOne emergency cell phone is powered by a single AA battery for up to 10 hours of use. It keeps it's charge for up to 15 years.

Able to make emergency calls, even without a SIM card. The SpareOne doesn’t leap tall buildings, but could just save your life. Essential disaster survival kit.

More info at http://spareone.com/

How to build an earthsip

Here are 2 "How-To/DIY" videos on how to plan and build radically sustainable buildings made with recycled materials"

See my previous post with a feature length documentary about its creator.

According to the group involved "the Earthship is the epitome of sustainable design and construction. No part of sustainable living has been ignored in this ingenious building."

Earthships can be built in any part of the world, in any climate and still provide electricity, potable water, contained sewage treatment and sustainable food production.


Video: Earthship Seminar 2009 DVD 1

Video: Earthship Seminar 2009 DVD 2

Solar Water Disinfection Project - Low Cost, Low Maintenance

Great Solar water disinfection project on Fund-it Laurence Gill and Joanne Mac Mahon from the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering at Trinity College Dublin are currently researching an innovative water disinfection system, which uses sunlight to disinfect water.

The solar disinfection unit is a low-cost, low-maintenance system, which requires no energy to run, and uses one of the most abundant resources in the developing world, sunshine.

Watch the project video... Check out more detailed information on their Fund-it page

Zero Emissions Housing - Garbage Warrior

One man's dream to create cheap, sustainable, off-grid dwellings.


The story of architect Michael Reynolds who builds houses in the New Mexico desert that don't need mains electricity, mains water, heating/air-con or main sewage connections and use recycled building materials. An inspirational guy.

The epic story of radical Earthship eco architect Michael Reynolds, and his fight to build off-the-grid self-sufficient communities.

www.garbagewarrior.com

Trailer

Full Documentary Film

Water Bottles as Lights

Ive been inspired by low and high tech solutions for the developing world and sustainable living strategies.

Everyday someone creates an ingenious and cost-effective solution to real world problem. I will write about them here.

This is the simple idea that first inspired me to start writing the blog.

Water bottles as lights.

Cheap. Easy to install. Uses recycled materials. Ingenious.