A new portable solar light option was exhibited at the last Salone del Mobile in Milan, which took place between 17 and 22 April. Called NOMAD solar lamp, it was developed by Belgium company O-Sun and will start selling in September for €95 (US$125).
Like several other portable solar light developers, such as LuminAID, SolLight and Wakawaka, NOMAD’s primary audience is people in developing countries with no access to the grid.
According to Gizmag, NOMAD LED solar light comes with three lighting setting. Its performance is pretty impressive. At full output it works for six hours. If you set it to its dimmest option, it will give light for 35 hours. It features a silicon disk that protects it from damage when placed on the ground. It’s also easy to be affixed on walls or suspended above a desk.
It comes with a separate charger and a USB plug for cloudy days or use in interiors. O-Sun has also been careful with manufacturing materials and chose eco-friendly options such as ABS and recycled packaging to reduce the product’s carbon footprint.
The company will be channeling the product at a lower price in developing countries with support from NGOs, government and micro-credit organizations.
Article by Antonio Pasolini, a Brazilian writer and video art curator based in London, UK. He holds a BA in journalism and an MA in film and television.