Printed Solar LEDs

Cheap Lighting for Off-Grid African Villages

Danish researcher Frederik Krebs has created an LED lamp that may bring cheap lighting to millions who now rely on kerosene lanterns as their primary source of evening light. The lamp combines photovoltaic cells printed on sheets with LEDs and ultra-thin lithium batteries and will cost about $7 to produce.

The lamps are left rolled out flat during the day for charging and rolled and button snapped into a cone-shaped light-emitting cone at night.

Prototype tests are being conducted in Zambia. Improvements to the design are an expected outcome: The current lamp design is only 1% efficient and is projected to last about a year.

Printed Solar Leds
Bringing cheap lighting to off-grid areas through photovoltaic cells printed on sheets and ultra-thin lithium batteries.
Rural Electrification
Developing affordable and sustainable ways to bring electricity to underserved rural areas.
Sustainable Lighting
Creating eco-friendly lighting solutions that are affordable and accessible for low-income communities.

Industries Being Reshaped

Renewable Energy
Utilizing and advancing the use of solar energy to create affordable and sustainable electricity for off-grid areas.
Green Technology
Innovating eco-friendly technologies that are accessible and affordable for low-income communities.
Social Impact
Addressing the issue of energy poverty and creating positive social impact by providing affordable and sustainable electricity.
SCORE
3.5 out of 10
GENDER
50% Men50% Women
MARKETTop markets: North America, Africa
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Gen X
  • Millennial (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 29%
Activity 68%
Freshness 8%

Solutions for innovators working at the edge of change. We help transform emerging ideas into practical, durable solutions by combining strategic thinking, creative exploration, and hands-on execution.

Trends © 2026 Trend Hunter Inc. All Rights Reserved.
LinkedIn Instagram X