watch now
VIDEO2:2502:25
Source Global creates water using sun-powered hydropanels in new bet on sustainability
They're like solar panels, except instead of electricity, they produce water.
Source Global's hydropanels create water out of thin air and bring it where it's most needed. CEO Cody Friesen invented the panels in 2014 at Arizona State University's Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, where he's on the faculty.
A year later, he turned the science into Source Global. The start-up's panels cost about $2,000 a piece.
"We take sunlight and air and we can produce perfect drinking water essentially anywhere on the planet," Friesen said. "And so we take water that has historically been probably humanity's greatest challenge and turn it into a renewable resource that is perfect essentially everywhere."
Source's hydropanels take in water vapor from the air and pack it into a form that's about 10,000 times more concentrated than in the atmosphere. Using the warmth of the sun, the system converts the molecules into liquid water, which is collected in a reservoir inside the panel and then released as pure water.
By 2018, Friesen had installed an array of 40 hydropanels in Kenya, where members of the Samburu Girls Foundation faced daily danger on their journeys to find water. They now have their own water source.
"We can now make perfect water, at your home, at your school, in your community in a way that is really bringing it into the 21st century," said Friesen.
Stock picks and investing trends from CNBC Pro:
Source's hydropanels are installed in 52 countries in 450 separate projects. The company has raised $150 million from investors including Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures, BlackRock, Duke Energy and the Lightsmith Group.
This type of technology is desperately needed in places like India, where an estimated 800,000 villages don't have clean drinking water. Friesen cited World Health Organization, showing that by 2025 "half the world's population will be in water stressed areas."
There's a domestic need as well. In the U.S, there are 1.5 million miles of lead pipes still in the ground, and about 750 water main breaks a day, according to Friesen. The business opportunity, he said, is enormous.
As a seasoned expert in sustainable technologies and environmental innovations, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge in the field. I have closely followed and analyzed advancements that address critical global challenges, and one such groundbreaking solution is Source Global's sun-powered hydropanels, a technology that produces water from thin air.
The hydropanels, conceived by CEO Cody Friesen in 2014 at Arizona State University's Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, represent a paradigm shift in water sourcing. These panels, not to be confused with traditional solar panels generating electricity, leverage sunlight and air to produce potable water virtually anywhere on the planet. Friesen's academic background and faculty position at the engineering school underscore his expertise, and the fact that he translated this scientific breakthrough into a startup, Source Global, speaks volumes about his commitment and confidence in the technology.
These hydropanels operate by extracting water vapor from the air and transforming it into liquid water through solar-powered processes. The resultant water is of exceptional purity, with a concentration about 10,000 times higher than in the atmosphere. The collected water is stored in a reservoir within the panel and can be released as a clean water source. This ingenious solution effectively tackles water scarcity, historically one of humanity's greatest challenges, by turning it into a renewable resource.
The impact of Source's hydropanels is evident in their deployment in 52 countries across 450 separate projects, showcasing the technology's versatility and effectiveness. The impressive roster of investors, including luminaries such as Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures, BlackRock, Duke Energy, and the Lightsmith Group, attests to the technology's promise and viability.
Cody Friesen's initiative to install a hydropanel array in Kenya, benefiting the Samburu Girls Foundation, exemplifies the technology's potential to address real-world challenges. The fact that Source Global has raised $150 million in funding further demonstrates the widespread recognition and support for this innovative solution.
The article emphasizes the urgent need for such technology in regions like India, where a large number of villages lack access to clean drinking water. Friesen cites data from the World Health Organization, predicting that by 2025, half of the world's population will be in water-stressed areas. This insight underscores the global significance of Source Global's hydropanels in addressing impending water scarcity issues.
Additionally, the article touches upon the domestic need for clean water solutions in the U.S., citing the presence of 1.5 million miles of lead pipes and 750 water main breaks per day. Friesen sees a massive business opportunity in addressing these challenges, highlighting the broader societal and economic implications of implementing such sustainable technologies.
In conclusion, Source Global's hydropanels represent a remarkable fusion of scientific innovation, environmental consciousness, and entrepreneurial vision. The technology's success in diverse global contexts, coupled with significant investments and endorsem*nts, positions it as a pivotal player in reshaping the future of water sustainability.
