19 January 2015 - The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi proudly announces that My Shelter Foundation’s Liter of Light’s Executive Director Mr. Illac Diaz received the award from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on January 19 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Liter of Light is an open source energy program that teaches people how to make and install homemade solar lanterns. The company began installing these solar bottles in the Philippines in 2011 and has since expanded to 15 countries. It has installed lanterns in over 350,000 homes and shops. The solar bottles have an enormous impact on those without electricity, saving an average of US$10 a month on electricity bills and 240 kilograms of potential carbon emissions.
A zero-carbon-emitting alternative to the daytime use of electric or hydrocarbon-burning illumination, Liter of Light is now on its second phase of development whereby a micro solar PV cell, LED, and a battery can be attached to the bottle so it can be used to generate light at night. The LED system was used extensively in the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan to provide residential and street lighting in areas of devastated cities.
Other winners were also announced for other categories namely former United States Vice President Al Gore as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Panasonic (Japan) for Large Corporations Category, M-KOPA Solar (Kenya) for Small and Medium Enterprises Category, and five high schools for the Global High Schools Category (Munro Academy – Americas; Petru Rares National College - Europe; Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa – Africa; Addu High School – Asia; Melbourne Girls’ College – Oceania).
The other finalists for the Non-Profit Organization Category were Solar Aid (United Kingdom), Practical Action (United Kingdom), World Resource Institute (United States), and Electriciens San Frontieres (France).
The winners were selected after a three-month long evaluation process which began with an assessment of 1,100 entrants to shortlist 31 finalists, and eventually name five schools, three organizations, and one individual. The entrants were evaluated based on their impact, innovation, leadership and long-term vision in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability. The Zayed Future Energy Prize Jury includes heads of state, leading energy experts and world-renowned personalities committed to the global effort of accelerating the adoption of renewable energy and sustainability.
On January 19, the Embassy hosted a press conference at the Ambassador's residence where Filipino media and community leaders got a chance to interview and interact with Mr. Diaz. Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Grace Relucio Princesa said, “As I have been saying, the Filipino is like abaca – strong, resilient and exceptional. The achievement also manifests that Filipinos are not just world-class laborers but that we also have innovators like Mr. Diaz.”
Mr. Diaz, for his part, thanked the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, particularly Ambassador Princesa, for believing in his cause and for encouraging him to apply for the prestigious award, despite his initial doubts.
The Zayed Future Energy Prize represents the vision of the Late Founding Father and President of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, who championed environmental stewardship. This annual award celebrates achievements that reflect impact, innovation, long-term vision and leadership in renewable energy and sustainability. It is considered the biggest and most prestigious award-giving body in the area of energy.
Liter of Light is the first Southeast Asian-based non-profit organization to win this prestigious award. END