No-chemicals solar powered bug killer seeks Europe expansion

(PhysOrg.com) -- AgriSolar this week announced an aggressive push into the European market for its no-chemicals insect killer that makes use of solar power to heat special insect-zapping light bulbs. AgriSolar said it plans to open several European sales and distribution offices with European partners. Its push is intended to capitalize on EU legislation that supports reducing the health risks of certain chemical pesticides.

The company, in Denver, Colorado, has a solution that it says attracts, disorients, and in turn kills insects. Its technology consists of a light bulb and a solar panel. The solar panel charges a battery during the day that powers proprietary light bulbs which automatically come on via a light sensor and timer system at night. The bulbs are designed in such a way to attract a significant amount of bugs.

The bulbs emit a special light that lures the insects. When the insects come within six to twelve inches of the light bulb. an additional light frequency wave disorients the bug and it falls into a water collection bin located below the light and then drowns. A video taken at Emery’s Berry Patch, 60-acre farm that grows blueberries, is full of praise for the product. “Our customers are walking through the fields and they pick the berries and eat them. We need to have the safest environment we can provide,” said the spokesman. He said that this year as in other years he would have had to cope with caterpillar damage but with AgriSolar he has seen a 90 percent reduction in pests. He said the solution was a no-brainer.“Nobody wants pesticide residue.”

Most large, two-bulb units from the company are priced between $1,000 and $1,200. Each unit, depending on size, is designed to cover an area of between 3,000 to 6,000 square meters and to last seven to ten years, according to the company.

At the time of this writing, the company’s site posted some “Testing Reports” to show the product’s efficacy.

The AgriSolar solutions have a foothold in China. Some 40,000 units are on farms in provinces throughout China. Liang Chao Wei, AgriSolar's Chief Executive Officer, said the insect control systems have seen great success in the Chinese agricultural market, which allowed the company to grow revenues quickly.

AgriSolar Solutions is described on the company site as a Colorado Corporation. "Through our wholly-owned, China based subsidiary, we are engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of our patented solar powered insect killer products for commercial agricultural growers."

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