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Solar vs kerosene

Updated 11:33 AM EST, Tue January 10, 2012
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The International Energy Agency says that 1.3 billion people around the world still live without access to electricity. In most cases, kerosene lamps are used to meet lighting needs.
Solar vs Kerosene —
The International Energy Agency says that 1.3 billion people around the world still live without access to electricity. In most cases, kerosene lamps are used to meet lighting needs.
However, kerosene and other forms of fuel-based light release significant quantities of CO2 into the atmosphere and the inflammatory agents in kerosene have been cited as a cause of everything from cancer to behavioral deficits. According to the UNDP, in rural Kenya more women die of fume-related illnesses than they do of malaria and tuberculosis.
Solar vs Kerosene —
However, kerosene and other forms of fuel-based light release significant quantities of CO2 into the atmosphere and the inflammatory agents in kerosene have been cited as a cause of everything from cancer to behavioral deficits. According to the UNDP, in rural Kenya more women die of fume-related illnesses than they do of malaria and tuberculosis.
But recently a new type of  hard-wearing and portable solar-powered LED lamp has emerged onto the market - providing a safer, brighter, cheaper and  more environmentally sustainable form of light.
Solar vs Kerosene —
But recently a new type of hard-wearing and portable solar-powered LED lamp has emerged onto the market - providing a safer, brighter, cheaper and more environmentally sustainable form of light.
The "MightyLight" (pictured), developed by a small start-up in Delhi, India is already being used by 100,000 of the country's poorest people. It can be applied as a ceiling light, wall light, or torch light; is both water and shock proof; can run for up to 12 hours on a single charge and comes in at $25.
Solar vs Kerosene —
The "MightyLight" (pictured), developed by a small start-up in Delhi, India is already being used by 100,000 of the country's poorest people. It can be applied as a ceiling light, wall light, or torch light; is both water and shock proof; can run for up to 12 hours on a single charge and comes in at $25.
Evan Mills, from the Lumina Project, has calculated that those without electric light in the developing world collectively spend $38 billion a year on kerosene. On top of which, the light it produces is dim, and ill-suited for use in delicate work, such as tailoring.
Solar vs Kerosene —
Evan Mills, from the Lumina Project, has calculated that those without electric light in the developing world collectively spend $38 billion a year on kerosene. On top of which, the light it produces is dim, and ill-suited for use in delicate work, such as tailoring.
Solar-powered LEDs produce light that, says Mills, is up to 100 times brighter than kerosene-fueled light. This has meant that, on top of their saving on fuel bills, many adopters of solar lamps are able to work much longer hours.
Solar vs Kerosene —
Solar-powered LEDs produce light that, says Mills, is up to 100 times brighter than kerosene-fueled light. This has meant that, on top of their saving on fuel bills, many adopters of solar lamps are able to work much longer hours.

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