Students in Peter Z’s Advanced Environmental Science class are on a mission to send solar-powered lights to refugee camps in Uganda and Africa. Partnering with We Share Solar—a nonprofit organization that brings lights to energy-scarce communities of the world—students are using their engineering skills to build “solar suitcases.”
These suitcases contain a low voltage light bulb powerful enough to light up three average-size rooms when correctly attached to solar panels. After learning about the fundamentals of solar power, students have been working hands-on (see pictured below) to prepare these suitcases for a long life of service in renewable energy. The goal is to ship these suitcases to their final destination by late January to early February.
This is not the first time Branson students have created Solar Suitcases for delivery to other countries. Learn more about this ongoing project.