The project, Liter of Light offers a sustainable alternative to kerosene lamps traditionally used in homes in developing nations. Kerosene lamps are dangerous and they emit toxic gases and large amounts of CO2. MIT student Alfredo Moser, envisioned an alternative lighting system made of recycled plastic water bottles, functioning as solar lamps. Illac Diaz, a Filipino student, ran with this idea and created the Liter of Light Project.

Solar lamps, made of recycled PET bottles fit into holes in a ceiling. The water bottles are filled with a mixture of water and bleach. The device captures and amplifies light from the sun. The resulting glow produces as much light as a 60 watt bulb. The bleach in the water prevents algae and bacteria from growing in the bottle for up to five years. The downside, is that, in the absence of sun, there will be no light.

This project is in collaboration with My Shelter Foundation. The foundation is working with volunteers with the goal of creating one million solar lamps for homes in the Philippines.