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Revolutionary engineers invent a way to create water out of thin air

Revolutionary engineers invent a way to create water out of thin air

In overheated areas like Navajo Nation in the American Southwest, a magical new technology is conjuring desperately needed water for the people.

 

By Richie Hertzberg | June 25, 2021

 

A human being can survive for three to five days without water before their organs begin to shut down, something more people are thinking about in the scorching Southwest these days. Water is often taken for granted in towns and cities across the U.S., but as you venture into the more remote areas of the country, clean drinking water becomes scarcer, and residents of those areas must be strategic when it comes to finding it.

Navajo Nation is a perfect example. It spans three states and covers more than 27,000 square miles, making it the largest Indigenous nation in the United States. The land is home to 175,000 people, and an estimated 40 percent of them don’t have access to piped water in their homes.

While water has always been a precious commodity in the arid Southwest climate, conditions have been exacerbated by a decadeslong drought, as well as pervasive uranium contamination. During the 20th century, Navajo land was leased out for uranium mining that the U.S. government used to help develop its nuclear weapon arsenal. The mines were later abandoned and served as a contaminant for the land and drinking water, causing health complications among the Navajo people.

So water is not something people on the Navajo Nation can afford to take for granted these days.

But here’s where American ingenuity can step in and help save lives. Source Global, a company based in Scottsdale Arizona, is helping solve the potable water problem with a innovative new technology they call a hydropanel.

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Hydropanel General Installation Requirements:

  • Roof mounted hydropanels must be at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from the edge of any structure.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • Consider factors like soil composition, and how to manage erosion or plant growth over time.
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  • Avoid installing the hydropanel where they may be wetted from irrigation sprinklers.
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  • Ensure the hydropanel is raised above the specified flood plain.
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  • 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.

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