Every solar light that goes up versus an outdoor electric light saves the world. One person can make a difference. Here we feature 3 places around the world that have made a difference with outdoor solar lights.

St. Petersburg

5/27/2008 - The switch was flipped on what is being described a the next wave in solar technology. The juice from those solar cells is being stored in a new kind of battery - one that uses vanadium suspended in a solution of sulfuric acid. It has freed Albert Whitted Park from the main electric grid.

What is being billed as the nation's first Sustainable Electrical Energy Delivery System, was developed jointly by Progress Energy Florida and the University of South Florida. [WUSF: Solar Power Lights Up Park]

Africa

5/27/2008 - On one of his trips to Rwanda in 2006, Williams brought along engineer William Greenhoe to work on the solar panels. Greenhoe pointed out how dangerous it was for the locals to use kerosene lanterns to light their homes.

"They're polluting, they're dangerous, they cause fire, they're expensive. Why don't we develop a solar light?" Williams recalled.

From that idea, these men -- connected by their passion to help the needy in Africa -- formed Grand Rapids-based PiSAT Solar to design and build solar-powered lanterns they call the K-Light.

With the microgrants, groups of African women are given a start-up "grant" of K-Lights to sell in their villages. From proceeds of the initial sale, the women buy and sell more K-Lights at a greatly reduced cost, establishing a source of income. [Michigan Live Solar Entrepreneurs]

Parkland, Florida

5/21/2008 - In their continuing push to go green, city commissioners are expected to give first approval tonight to an ordinance that would require all businesses to use solar-powered outdoor lighting.

Some Parkland business owners approved the idea of solar-powered outdoor lights. "I do believe it's a green community and I think business owners on a whole are apt to do what they can to help the environment," said Evan Wolk, chairman of the Parkland Chamber of Commerce. [Sun Sentinel]