Canned water created from air and sunlight set to hit US supermarkets soon
Their innovative technology, known as the Hydropanel, looks like a solar panel but generates clean water instead of electricity.
In a groundbreaking development, bottled water extracted directly from the air using sunlight as its power source is set to hit US stores. This innovative solution, known as SKY WTR, is the brainchild of Source, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based company.
The bottled water industry, valued at a staggering US$350 billion, traditionally relies on groundwater extraction. Over the past three decades, an estimated 2,150 gigatons of groundwater have been pumped out from Earth. However, as we approach the next decade, freshwater demand is projected to outstrip supply by 40 percent, exacerbated by the effects of climate change.
Ten years ago, a team of researchers at Arizona State University founded a company with the goal of providing an off-grid method of producing drinking water from the air without using grid electricity. Their innovative technology, known as the Hydropanel, looks like a solar panel but generates clean water instead of electricity.
Here’s how it works
Sunlight powers fans that draw moisture-laden air into a water-absorbing material. Solar energy is then used to release this moisture in a concentrated stream. The smart controller ensures that the panel’s dew point remains above the ambient temperature, leading to passive condensation of water directly within the panel. Remarkably, each Hydropanel can generate up to three liters of water daily, even in arid conditions like Arizona.
The resulting water is exceptionally pure, requiring mineral adjustments to achieve a suitable pH for human consumption. Additionally, the team ozonates the water to ensure sterility.
Source’s technology can be scaled up to serve residential communities, schools, hotels, and remote worksites. The company has successfully installed Hydropanels in 56 countries. While each Hydropanel costs US$3,000, Source’s clientele primarily includes governments and development banks seeking to address water scarcity in remote communities.
To showcase the system’s potential, Source deployed Hydropanels in Florida, generating an impressive 3,000 liters of water daily. This water is now being bottled and introduced to US markets as SKY WTR. However, Source’s goal isn’t merely to enter the bottled water industry; it’s to highlight the ability to create water directly from the air and raise awareness about Hydropanel technology.
By targeting the millions of Americans lacking access to clean drinking water, SKY WTR aims to demonstrate sustainable water sourcing. Despite the initial high cost of Hydropanels, Source remains confident that future price reductions will make self-sufficient, eco-friendly water production economically viable for all.
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