One can build a larger solar panel from smaller recycled solar cells (solar lights and calculators and such or broken larger cells) for a fraction of the price. and with a little work a charge controller can be created. I have used small Christmas lights as an expedient charge controller on smaller batteries. You just need to calculate how much lights you need to create the correct amount of draw. Also the extra lights will be nice to use after sundown instead of the hurricane lamps.

If Maina can find copper and another soft disimlar metal like zinc or another soft alloy he could hammer together a thermopile to use with his kerosene lamps. The Soviets used these to power radios from WW-II through the early 60’s when batteries were too expensive. 50-100 hammered junctions placed above the flames or in the hot air convection path where a good hot to cold heat movement ratio should power a properly modified radio and have enough electricity left to power several white LED’s at night. It is important to not overheat your thermopile as there is a sweet spot, efficiency and power output drops or worse the metals begin to melt if the whole system gets heat saturated. I doubt an easy to make thermopile will make enough amperage to prevent a major voltage drop when connected to the battery and discharge of the car battery.

Maina must also be told to keep the voltage above 11 volts or else lead sulphate crystals begin to form on the plates of the car battery, these are difficult or impossible to remove in the field leaving a useless battery.

This only the start of a much larger initiative and the current set up is being upgraded as we speak.

Graham

http://www.oxfam.org/en/getinvolved/unwrapped

I’m sure lot’s of people would be willing to sponsor this kind of projects !