Harnessing the Himalayan Sun

In 2009, we unveilied a portable solar cooker with exchangeable modules for household heating and electricity generation called the SolSource 3-in-1. In addition to meeting more energy needs, the SolSource 3-in-1 is designed specifically for the practical considerations of Himalayan life. Weighing only 8 kg, it can be transported across mountainous terrain much more easily than the 70-95 kg solar cookers currently available in the region.

Maximizing Efficiency with Personal Heating

Our HeatSource Textiles combine low-cost phase change materials with local fabrics to provide sustained mobile warmth for Himalayan nomads. Designed for the daily routine of nomadic herders, these garments absorb excess body heat created while traveling across steep terrain and release the heat back to the body while waiting for livestock to graze.

Maintaining Healthy Water Systems

One Earth Designs works with at-risk communities to design water quality management programs and technologies, perform water quality tests, map data and choose appropriate treatment solutions. We also help communities and local organizations conduct more efficient water quality testing, cutting their expenditures by up to 95% while increasing the accuracy of their results.

Innovative Income Generation

One Earth Designs works with communities to incubate local entrepreneurship and create local income generating opportunities. Because it is difficult for these populations to compete against existing businesses, One Earth Designs works with entrepreneurs to develop businesses around novel products and services such as the SolSource 3-in-1 and water treatment provision.

Empowering Through Education

One Earth Designs is working to introduce science and engineering as well as to foster environmental awareness among rural Himalayan children. We design schools, curriculums, and educational materials that support this goal. One example is our “Evolution of Knowledge” children’s reader series, which address key environmental issues facing rural populations by delivering scientific explanations using traditional folktale formats and cartoon illustrations. Along these same lines, we run workshops on multitude of topics to help communities and local grass-roots organizations build technical capacities.