Source Logo

Google X Study Supports SOURCE Global’s Approach

SOURCE Global’s Approach to Solving the World’s Drinking Water Crisis Further Supported by Independent Google X Study

SOURCE Hydropanels represent a proven path to low-cost, safe, renewable drinking water

 

Nov. 3, 2021 – SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – While approximately 2.2 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water today, new independent research is providing additional affirmation of the performance of existing, in-market technology, and further evidencing a path to making drinking water a renewable, distributed, and unlimited resource.

Google X has announced a three-year study demonstrating that sunlight and water vapor as inputs could, in principle, help meet the global need for safely managed drinking water. Their research included the development and optimization of their own solar atmospheric water harvesting prototype, which achieved peak production of 150 milliliters per hour per square meter, about the limit the study deemed achievable.

SOURCE Global, PBC was founded six years ago to develop a solar atmospheric water harvesting technology called the SOURCE® Hydropanel. Since then, SOURCE has advanced its performance dramatically. The Hydropanel uses only solar power to produce more than 565 milliliters of actual, drinkable water per hour per square meter*—which is nearly four times higher than the Google X technology.

SOURCE is the first company to successfully commercialize and scale a patented solar atmospheric water-harvesting technology, with applications ranging from two-panel arrays on homes to water farms that serve entire organizations and communities, now across 54 countries. As both a reflection of the nascency of this field and SOURCE’s first-mover advantage, the performance of the Hydropanel confirms this approach to solve the world’s drinking water needs.

Based on its current trajectory and advanced R&D, SOURCE believes that within the next decade it can create the lowest cost delivered potable water on earth, and that bringing a community of researchers, investors, utilities, and corporations together around this idea will dramatically accelerate that eventuality.

“With the substantial progress SOURCE has made, the world is closer to broad recognition of the massive market need for a solution to drinking water challenges globally, and that our solar atmospheric water harvesting approach could meet that challenge,” said Cody Friesen, founder and CEO of SOURCE.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6.1: “ensuring reliable access to safe drinking water for all,” faces substantial challenges from headwinds to repairing or building traditional infrastructure, impacts on water scarcity because of climate change, and ongoing polluting and overdrawing of groundwater. But the new study and the proven performance of SOURCE Hydropanels demonstrate that breakthroughs in solar atmospheric water harvesting can help the world deliver on this goal.

“The Google X study has confirmed our core thesis – that unlocking new models for decentralized water harvesting is an integral part of addressing the water problem. Renewable resources allow us to produce climate resilient drinking water where people need it, leapfrogging infrastructure and tapping into the abundant resource of fresh water in the atmosphere,” Friesen said.

*Assumes 1000 watts per square meter and environmental conditions of 25 °C, 40% relative humidity. Per-square meter calculation encompasses all elements of standalone SOURCE Hydropanel: hygroscopic materials, solar thermal and photovoltaic panels, electromechanical components (fans, pumps, motors), water mineralization and quality monitoring, and all controls and communications hardware that enable an infrastructure free operation.

 

About SOURCE Global, PBC

A Public Benefit Corporation, SOURCE Global, PBC’s mission is to make drinking water an unlimited resource. The company’s SOURCE® Hydropanels create drinking water using sunlight and air as the only inputs, and can put the fundamental right of safe, sustainable drinking water in the hands of every person in nearly every climate and corner of the world. SOURCE is on Fast Company’s 2020 list of most innovative social good companies. Because the company’s technology operates entirely off the grid, it is uniquely well suited to serve areas with no reliable access to safe drinking water and those with little to no infrastructure. Unlike piped, well or bottled water, SOURCE water is produced where it’s needed and constantly measured and monitored by digital sensors in each panel. SOURCE® Hydropanels are currently serving water-stressed communities, schools, hospitals, NGOs, businesses and homes across the world. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, the company operates in 54 countries and on six continents. SOURCE is a registered trademark of SOURCE Global, PBC.

This is the end of this article. Source Logo Mark

Media Inquiries

Contact the SOURCE Public Relations team at
(480) 712-0995

Or simply complete this form:

Hydropanel Production Tool

Hydropanel water production tool

For an accurate per Hydropanel production value in your area, please enter your zip code below.

Zip Code Search

Hidden

Hydropanel General Installation Requirements:

  • Roof mounted hydropanels must be at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from the edge of any structure.
  •  
  • Adequate structural integrity of the roof is required. Do not install on a roof that is damaged or otherwise insufficient to hold the weight and wind loads of the hydropanel.
  •  
  • Consider whether there is space for a crane to set up and lift the hydropanels to their mounting location.
  • Ground locations should be firm, level, and evenly composed. The hydropanel can be placed on blocks, concrete, or mounted to lumber to provide a stable base to sit on.
  •  
  • Consider factors like soil composition, and how to manage erosion or plant growth over time.
  •  
  • Avoid installing the hydropanel where they may be wetted from irrigation sprinklers.
  •  
  • Ensure the hydropanel is raised above the specified flood plain.
  •  
  • Hydropanel should be anchored to the ground or sufficiently ballasted to prevent movement or damage from high winds.

Hydropanel General Installation Requirements:

  • Sunny mounting location – The SOURCE Hydropanel works best in full sun. Unobstructed sunlight required at least 5 hours per day. Avoid placing under shading objects such as trees, buildings, etc.
  • 4 x 6 foot (1.2 x 1.8 meters) mounting area per Hydropanel.
  • Minimum clearance of 1ft (30cm) in front of and behind the panels to allow access for service.
  • Minimum 3 inches (8 cm) between hydropanels from side to side within an array.
  • SOURCE Hydropanels must be installed at least 15 feet (5 meters) away from windows and should be positioned considering hydropanel sound with respect to living spaces.
  • SOURCE Hydropanels must be level from side-to-side with a maximum deviation of 20mm.
  • Hydropanel must be South Facing (180°) for locations in the Northern Hemisphere, or North facing (0°) for locations in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • The installation surface must be level. For example, a flat roof, or level ground.

Roof Mount Requirements:

  • Roof mounted hydropanels must be at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from the edge of any structure.
  • Adequate structural integrity of the roof is required. Do not install on a roof that is damaged or otherwise insufficient to hold the weight and wind loads of the hydropanel.
  • Consider whether there is space for a crane to set up and lift the hydropanels to their mounting location.

Ground Mount Requirements:

  • Ground locations should be firm, level, and evenly composed. The hydropanel can be placed on blocks, concrete, or mounted to lumber to provide a stable base to sit on.
  • Consider factors like soil composition, and how to manage erosion or plant growth over time.
  • Avoid installing the hydropanel where they may be wetted from irrigation sprinklers.
  • Ensure the hydropanel is raised above the specified flood plain.
  • Hydropanel should be anchored to the ground or sufficiently ballasted to prevent movement or damage from high winds.

Hydropanel Calculator

The amount of water you consume will determine how many panels you’ll need and the size of tanks we recommend. Use our calculator below for our panel and tank recommendation.

Each panel produces on average 180 bottles per month (16.9 oz bottles). For a more accurate estimation based on your location use this tool.

Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden