Using Solar Origami To Fight Poverty, Pollution, and Violence Worldwide

Solar innovation is taking an unexpected form—origami-inspired lights that fold flat and expand into cubes. Behind this revolution is Alice Chun, CEO of Solight Design and inventor of the SolarPuff, who recently joined Peter Banigo on GreenTech Pulse to share how these pocket-sized solar lights are making a global impact.

From Architecture to Innovation

Alice’s journey began during her time as a professor at Columbia University. After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, she learned that 2.6 billion people worldwide lack reliable electricity. Many rely on kerosene lamps, which are expensive, dangerous, and release toxic fumes.

“I researched every solar light on the market,” Alice explained. “They were all heavy, made of hard plastic, and very utilitarian looking.” As an architect and designer, she knew there had to be a better solution.

Drawing on her Korean heritage and early experiences with origami, Alice created a solar light that could flat-pack and pop open into a cube. This design solved multiple problems at once:

• Transportation efficiency: The lights can be shipped in large quantities at minimal cost
• User-friendly design: No inflation by mouth (eliminating hygiene concerns)
• Durability: Waterproof and floating for use in various environments
• Aesthetics: Beautiful design that people want to use

Real-World Impact

The SolarPuff isn’t just another gadget—it’s changing lives in measurable ways:

Economic Benefits

“Many underserved communities spend up to 30% of their income on kerosene every day,” Alice noted. In Haiti, families often spend a dollar on a single candle that lasts only one night. The SolarPuff provides free lighting after the initial investment, allowing families to redirect money toward food, education, and other essentials.

Safety Improvements

One of the most striking findings came from tent camps and refugee settlements. “Sexual assaults toward women and young girls in tent camps at night decreased by 30% when they had solar lights,” Alice reported. The simple presence of light allows people to identify potential attackers, serving as a powerful deterrent.

Health Benefits

The elimination of kerosene reduces toxic smoke inhalation, which kills millions of children annually. This connection between energy solutions and health outcomes isn’t coincidental—Alice’s own motivation stemmed from her son’s asthma and her research into air pollution sources.

Mental Health Applications

In an unexpected development, healthcare workers have found that colored SolarPuffs help children with PTSD after disasters. “The children all have trauma after hurricanes and are scared of the dark,” Alice explained. The gentle, colored light helps them sleep and provides comfort during recovery. This application has expanded to helping children in war zones like Ukraine.

Beyond Disaster Relief

While the SolarPuff began as a disaster relief tool, its applications have expanded:

• Power outage preparedness: With a 60% increase in U.S. power outages due to climate change
• Outdoor recreation: Popular with campers, hikers, and gardeners
• Educational tools: Teaching children about solar energy
• Maritime use: Anchor lights and boat illumination
• Home safety: Safer alternative to candles for elderly users

Looking Forward

Solight Design continues to evolve. The company is now working with Harvard University and Parsons to study how light therapy can help with depression, trauma, and mental health recovery. They’re also developing larger solar products capable of charging phones and even computers.

Key Takeaways

Alice’s advice for innovators looking to create sustainable solutions is refreshingly simple:

1. Start with a real problem that needs solving
2. Research thoroughly to understand existing solutions
3. Find ways to improve on what’s already available
4. Let passion drive you through the inevitable challenges

The SolarPuff story demonstrates that effective green technology doesn’t need to be complex. Sometimes the most impactful innovations combine simple principles—like origami and solar power—to address multiple challenges simultaneously.

By tackling economic, environmental, and social issues with a single elegantly designed product, Alice Chun shows how thoughtful green technology can create ripple effects far beyond its intended purpose.

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Want to support Solight Design’s mission? Visit solight-design.com to purchase products or donate lights to their global missions.