Developing Areas Need Solar Water Purifier

Living, camping or just passing through an area without a clean water supply can offer several challenges since many areas lacking fresh water may also lack an efficient power grid as well. Since water is a basic necessity, developing a solar water purifier is an important step to better health in these areas.

There seems to be two schools of thought in developing and using a solar water purifier with one being the use of solar panels to power a 12-volt water purifier. The other is counting on the old-fashioned method of distillation with no electricity required. While both methods will provide purified water for free, both side of the debate are pushing for a solar water purifier.

A small, limited output 12-volt solar water purifier is available and can be powered with portable solar panels developed for use by the military. The panels fold up quickly for easy transport. Another solar water purifier can also be carried easily, but can be bulky with its 25-pound weight enclosed in a suitcase-like carrying case. It is capable of processing about 60 gallons an hour. Pre-filtering keeps dirty and contaminated water from the purification tank. Filter is removable for easy cleaning. The unit is battery operated with the batteries recharged by solar panels.

Using A Still For Fresh Water

Te meet the needs for clean water when portability is not needed, different types of a solar water purifier relies on the distillation process. Most systems are ingenious through their simplicity, and are helping many small villages worldwide with no source of clean, safe drinking water.

A rectangular-shaped box is built, about 6-inches high. A solar panel, similar to the ones used as a swimming pool heater is placed on top and unpurified water is placed into the box. As the sun shines through the solar panel, it heats the water, which condenses on the underside of the solar panel. The gentle slope of the panel allows the water to run into a trough and into collection bottles at the lower end of the box, making a solar water purifier.

When the water condenses, only the water goes up. All the sediment and impurities collects in the bottom of the box. Additionally, the ultraviolet rays from the sun have a negative impact on most of the bacteria in the water. While this version of a solar water purifier is completely dependent on the sun and its output may vary, depending on its brightness.