Recycling mobile phone batteries for lighting

The fast evolution of technology and over production of mobile electronic devices leads to their short usage period and therefore may be a source of environmental pollution and contributes to global warming. Fortunately, due to the properties of the lithium ion (Li-ion) battery that powers these mobile devices, there is a lot of life left for the battery when the device is sent to recycle. This e-waste can be valued by giving to the batteries a second life as energy storage for solar lighting. In fact, it can be a real opportunity for access to electricity in remote rural areas of developing countries for low cost and quality lighting. We show that the usage of recycled mobile phone batteries associated with a solar panel and a light emitting diode (LED) lamp can be a good replacement for candles and kerosene lamps that are hazardous and only give poor lighting quality. Such a replacement can be done for a much lower cost than current expenses, better quality of light and contributes to poverty alleviation and jobs creation. This overcomes the challenges of cost and durability in small off-grid photovoltaic systems.