It occurs to me that given the relatively high cost of nylon fiber reinforced tape (3 inch and 6 inch versions).... which can cost $20 USD per roll and up....   we can reduce costs by using some less expensive tape (eg, grey duct tape) for taping of the edges of insulation board panels.  Save the more expensive tape for attaching panels together.

I recently came upon a web site where an individual decided to test out several different models of home-made wi-fi antenna boosters.  Very simple approach, and the same kind of thing that could be done in TIDES to evaluate different solar cookers, stoves, lighting solutions, shelters, etc.  Anyway, I thought this was interesting as a model for the kind of solutions testing we are discussing for J-Bad, Honduras, etc.  Incidentally, it also suggests a way to build a very low-cost wi-fi antenna extender!

WE had a very successful TIDES mini-demo in Tegucigalpa, Honduras this past week.  Pat McArdle demonstrated a range of solar cooking devices and strategies, as well as a "rocket stove" for those times when the sun isn't shining.  With help from a Honduran "search and rescue" military unit, we build two hexayurts using locally available, and very cheap, panels. Both yurts were build for under $100 USD each.  We're due to return in April for a somewhat larger demo, and will see then how these shelters are holding up to the elements.