# Printed Solar LEDs Cheap Lighting for Off-Grid African Villages By Katie Cordrey | Published 2009-11-15 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/printed-solar-led References: [spectrum.ieee.org](http://spectrum.ieee.org/green-tech/solar/plastic-solar-cells-roll-into-unlit-villages/2) & [popsci](http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2009-11/solar-powered-leds-light-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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decoration-light) as their primary source of evening light. The lamp combines [photovoltaic cells printed on sheets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/farolito) 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. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 29% | Activity: 68% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Wireless Solar-Powered Lights](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solarpowered-lights.md) - [3D Printed Solar Lamps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zimple.md) - [Sustainable Light Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/geolectric-lantern.md) - [Sunlight-Mimicking Panelled Lamps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sunne-lamp.md) - [Sustainable Solar Portable Lights](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iggy-lamp.md) - [Alternative Energy Illuminators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sammanlnkad-collection.md) - [Flippable Solar Lamps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nomad-3.md) - [Portable Solar-Powered Lanterns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kuro-lantern.md) - [Modular Outdoor Lighting](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lanova.md)