Providing water to places that are naturally dry has always been difficult, but science is now finding better ways to meet this challenge. Professor Cody Friesen of Arizona State University (US) has developed a solar-powered hydropanel that can absorb water vapour when exposed to sunlight - even in the driest climates. The panels work by using solar powered fans to pull air into the device, which absorbs and traps all of the moisture from the air. The panels are warmed by the sun, and as the temperature rises, the water molecules become water vapour, which condenses into liquid water. Minerals are then added to make it drinkable. Each panel produces about five litres of water per day in a desert area. “It's a uniquely efficient and low-cost approach that enables us to go places where nobody else can go” says Friesen. That is because even extremely dry air can hold a surprising amount of water. The Earth's atmosphere as a whole contains about six times as much water as all of the planet's rivers. 

 

BIBO Park, the amazing botanical and biotechnological centre near San Rafael, has been doing something similar for several years. Ibiza is not quite a desert, but lack of water is definitely a concern as the population of the island grows. All of the drinking water at BIBO is “Water from the Sky” that is produced by atmospheric water generators powered by solar energy. These machines take humidity from the air, filter it to remove any contamination, add the right mixture of minerals, and then sterilize it with UV light. The finished product is high quality water that has never been in contact with old pipes, and is completely free of chemicals. You can taste the delicious difference, and now they are expanding this ecological concept on a commercial level. BIBO Park has two new machines that together produce 1,300 litres of this special water every day. The water is shipped in aluminium cans, because they are the most ecological containers for recycling. It’s a perfect solution on our island where water is precious, and it could be expanded for use in restaurants and hotels.