Olafur Eliasson, the world renowned iceland orgin Danish artist has designed a Cheap, but sleak solar lamp, which is set to hit India and other countries soon.
The lamp is priced at $10 (560 rupees). Weighing about 120gm and named the 'Little Sun' is set to be rage with both rich and poor.
The Little Sun is being pitched against kerosene lamps for use in off-grid regions of the world. In India, "basic" solar-powered lamps are already available in the range of Rs 600 with an expected life of three years. But Eliasson and his team hope to cash in on the "aesthetic quality" of the product.
"We have so far not found robust retailers in India (to sell the product)," says Eliasson, adding that if the Little Sun is put in charging mode during the day for five hours, it works for five hours at night. It is more effective when it is charged directly under sunlight, adds the artist who is widely known for his large installations and sculptures.
Solar lamp vs kerosene lamps
This solar lamp is expected to last three years. Eliasson says, "Over the course of the lamp's lifespan, its users can save 90% on what they would spend on kerosene for lighting." A litre of kerosene is priced at Rs 12.73 in Delhi, Rs 12.28 in Mumbai and Rs 11.5 in Chennai.
He goes on: "There is a whole lot of difference between a child studying under a kerosene lamp and a solar lamp. With kerosene you end up burning a lot of petroleum products."
