These ‘Hydropanels’ Create Drinkable Water Using Just Air and Sunlight
If you're serious about sustainable living, we may have found the ultimate renewable technology for your home: These hydropanels make water using just air and sunlight. That's right, they create water out of thin air.
Created by Zero Mass Water, Rexi Source hydropanels were adapted from a 2017 design so that they could be installed on residential homes. Off-grid and self-contained, they don’t need to be plugged into an additional electric or water supply. All you have to do is stick them on your roof, and make sure they face the sun.
So how do they work? Fans draw in water vapor from the air, and the water vapor absorbs onto a special material. Pure water then desorbs into an air-tight system and is condensed inside the hydropanels. Before dispensing through the tap, fridge, or wall-mounted dispenser, liquid water flows into a reservoir and is mineralized through a flavor polishing cartridge.
Although water production varies depending on the weather, the hydropanels work in a wide range of conditions, including areas with low sun and humidity. Each hydropanel holds 30 liters of water, which is about 60 standard water bottles. According to Zero Mass Water, in their lifetime, two hydropanels will offset more than 50,000 plastic bottles.
Not only is the water that the hydropanels make renewable, but it’s also clean. Following EPA and FDA standards for drinking water, the hydropanels enhance the pure drinking water with magnesium and calcium. Since each hydropanel is connected to a cloud-based network, the water quality and performance is constantly being monitored by Zero Mass Water. With the Rexi hydropanels, you can track your water production and reservoir level using the Source user app. The app will also alert you when it’s time to service your hydropanels and if there’s ever a change in water quality.
Currently, Source hydropanels are installed in more than 35 countries, servicing communities, counties, and schools. And now U.S. residents can preorder Source Rexi hydropanels for their homes on Zero Mass Water’s website. The company estimates the project costs, which includes shipping, installation, and tax, to be between $5,500 and $6,500. Once you place a deposit, you’ll get a quote and schedule your installation.
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