Nokero – Solar Powered LED Light Bulb For Developing Nations
The Nokero is a solar powered light bulb that uses LED bulbs to provide a bright, energy efficient light. Made for developing nations, the Nokero hopes to replace lighting such as kerosene lamps in areas where electricity is not a constant.
The Nokero is a robust, water resistant light that has the shape and size of a regular standard light bulb. The bulb has 4 solar panels that allow the rechargeable NiMH battery to efficiently store electricity from the sunlight. The light source is provided by 5 LED bulbs that produce a bright steady illumination. When the battery is fully charged the light can provide 4 hours of lighting, a single days charge should provide around 2 hours of lighting. Though the battery only has a lifespan of around 2 years the light bulb has been made to allow you to easily replace the battery, extending the life of the bulb significantly.
The Nokero has been created to provide an effective replacement for lighting sources such as kerosene lamps that are used by 1.6 billion people world wide. Kerosene lamps are both costly and dangerous to those who use them, they can cost around 5% of a families income and are known to cause cancers due to the noxious fumes they produce. By using solar panels the Nokero light bulb will provide decent lighting in an eco-friendly way. The company producing them has priced an individual bulb at $15, however they hope to provide them in bulk to areas in developing nations or to areas that have experienced a catastrophe and are in need of lighting, they hope to reduce the cost down to $6 per bulb by providing them in bulk amounts.
Source: Inhabitat
Your Comments
I’m sorry to say I purchased three of these Nokero bulbs to try out. I’ve only charged one, and it worked very briefly. However, the on/off switch felt wobbly and cheap from the beginning, and now it doesn’t turn on at all. For the usage they contemplate, everything about it must be solid and sturdy. I hope that anyone who contemplates buying them in bulk and adding their own logos does some testing first.
I bought a half dozen of these and have been testing them. So far they’ve worked well out in the weather, seem durable and survived a number of drops without breaking/shattering.
By replacing the included 1 Amp Hour 1.2v rechargable NiMH battery with a 2.6 Amp Hour rechargable battery. (Energizer NiMH) you can double the illumination time to a full 8 hours, but you have to let it charge for two or three days to get that full amount.
I put three in use while my other three charge, by rotating them out, you can have adequate illumination all night long in several rooms.
Judy– I am the inventor of this product. Please contact us at support@nokero.com and we can address this problem. It seems your light(s) has a problem with the water-resistant cover over the switch.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Best Regards, Steve