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1. Comment - EcoFocus: PiSAT launches solar-powered 'green' lantern

   (May 4, 2009 - 8:55 PM)

   The $50 price is for charities in the rich world. My guess is, this product costs around $10 at bulk manufacturing and with transport and retailing costs can be sold for $20-30 anywhere in the world. Before enough commercial people do that, some people want to exploit the charity market because people living in New York don't know any better about getting their money down to where it's supposed to be useful. (Besides, marketing to charities in rich countries adds its own costs.)
   
   Cheap LED lighting with usual pen cells (disposable) is available in some Third World cities for as little as $3 (that's actual retail, without batteries; bulk is probably $1 apiece). With rechargeable batteries, around $7. Somewhat better quality products around $10-20 depending on battery type. Some LEDs might not be good, but people obviously think spending $2 a month for lighting is ok.
   
   Things like K-Light should be commercially available in African cities for around $20 in a couple of years. I think they are already available in India for around $30-40, without any subsidy or gimmicks.