Mexican low-cost solar panels achieve global recognition

Second use windows and other products that one can find “right around the corner”

could be used to create solar panels, which can supply electricity to the poorest communities in Mexico. The project was one of the 10 finalists of the History Channel contest "An idea to change the world."

"Alcance Solar" (Solar Reach)

, the social project by Mexican entrepreneur Octavio Óscar López Carrillo , has existed for two years and trained around a thousand people who can now make these home panels.

The young Mexican started as member of the citizen organization "Ya Basta.” Today, he leads a group of 20 people who are in charge of looking for the most needy areas of the country, where his project aims to improve the quality of life of citizens.

Three to five solar panels are capable of generating between 600 and 1,000 watts of electric power

. In addition to supporting communities, the project has a deep economic and ecological impact.

The goal of López Carrillo is to take his idea to a greater number of Mexican communities, since he is convinced that the national territory is "a privileged place" for solar panels .

In addition to "Alcance Solar," some of the finalist projects in the History Channel contest were the MX917, which consists of building low-cost anti-seismic housing, and ASELUS, a light fixture that serves to illuminate interiors through the use of sunlight .

These three projects, which were selected among 7,900 participants from all Latin American countries

, and the most voted projects among the 10 finalists, will move on to the final on December 6 .

Solar industry provides electricity to rural areas in Mexico

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