These Teenagers Sure Know How to Light up Diwali – with Eco Friendly Solar Lanterns!

Three teenagers from Thane were worried about the effect of Diwali lights on the environment, which is followed by a very high electricity bill. So they designed these lanterns and diyas that run on solar energy.

By Shreya Pareek

October 29, 2015

Think about Diwali and one is always reminded of decked up houses that look absolutely fascinating – covered in numerous lights and many colourful lamps.

Mesmerized by this brightness that defines the festival of lights, three children from Mumbai decided to add on to the celebration with a very unique idea. They have designed lamps and lanterns that run on solar energy.

Photo for representation only. Source: kenkrevarun/Flickr

The trio of 14-year-olds – Muskan Tuttan, Shardul Datar and Parth Shinde, wanted to do something unusual this Diwali. They started brainstorming about it almost 10 months back, and after rejecting many different ideas, finalised this one.

Someone in their class was discussing about the immense pollution caused due to crackers during the festival, which is accompanied by the increased electricity bills because of the lights. That was when these Thane residents came up with the idea of replacing regular lights with the more eco-friendly ones.

For this, they used models of miniature solar panels and connected them to the outer surface of regular lanterns, and inside clay diyas. As these lights are kept near the window, balcony, front yard or terrace, the mini solar panels will absorb the heat and light from the sun’s rays and generate enough energy to power the LED bulbs connected to the lanterns and diyas.

The students were supported by their teacher, Purushottam Pachpande, in this project. And since regular solar panels would be very costly, he ordered miniature ones from China, to make the idea successful.

The students have also attached batteries to the lanterns with the help of which they can last for eight to ten hours. The battery has a life span of about 25 years. Thus, the decorations which are specifically meant for Diwali can be used for other festivals too.

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