A new innovation in sustainable water sourcing is set to hit the shelves in the United States later this year. Source, a company based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is preparing to introduce “Sky Wtr,” a canned drinking water produced entirely from air and sunlight. This pioneering product aims to leverage solar-powered Hydropanels to provide off-grid access to clean drinking water.
The technology behind Sky Wtr originates from Hydropanel technology developed by researchers at Arizona State University over a decade ago. These Hydropanels function akin to solar panels but instead of generating electricity, they harness sunlight to extract water vapor from the air. This moisture is then absorbed by a hygroscopic material within the panels.
Powered by solar energy once again, the Hydropanels release the collected moisture in a concentrated air stream, allowing for passive condensation inside the panels. Each Hydropanel can produce up to 3 liters of pure, distilled water per day, making it suitable even for arid environments like Arizona.
Sky Wtr ensures that the water produced is not only pure but also mineralized and ozonated to meet safety standards for drinking water. The initiative, launched by Source (formerly Zero Mass Water) in 2014, has already seen global deployment of Hydropanels across 56 countries. These panels can be installed as ground arrays or on rooftops, integrated into existing drinking water systems of buildings.
Despite the technological advancement, the cost of Hydropanels, currently at $3,000 per panel, remains a significant hurdle for widespread adoption. Primarily used by governments and development banks to serve remote or water-scarce communities, Source aims to popularize the Hydropanel technology through the Sky Wtr brand.
In addition to individual installations, Source operates a large-scale “water farm” in Florida, capable of producing 3,000 liters of water daily. Sky Wtr, packaged in recyclable aluminum cans and bottles, will be available in major US retailers starting from August or September 2024. The launch intends not only to enter the bottled water market but also to raise awareness about sustainable water sourcing methods.
Looking ahead, Source is optimistic about reducing the cost of Hydropanels, making self-produced water economically viable for broader consumer markets in the near future.
