AWARD YEAR
2017
CATEGORY
Community
GOALS
Zero Hunger
KEYWORDS
Water extraction , solar powered
COUNTRY
Netherlands
DESIGNED BY
AP Verhaggen, Sun Glacier
WEBSITE
http://sunglacier.nl/sunglaciers-dc03-breakthrough-technology-now-online
Sun Glacier DC 03 Technology
A solar-powered, water maker based on Peltier technology
The SunGlacier team has designed a solar-powered, water maker based on Peltier technology that operates without needing batteries or a current inverter. By employing a photovoltaic panel, the X-model generates power for an 18W Peltier element, which cools an aluminum block to below the ambient dew point.
The surface temperature of the aluminum cooling element is below the dew point of the ambient air, so water will condense on the element surface. SunGlacier has designed several shapes of the cooling element. Water from the air is collected and drips down from the element surface through simple gravity. The Peltier element has a temperature difference of 67C maximum between the upper “hot” side and the under “cool” side. Thus, the more that the hot upper side releases its heat and cools – the more cooling potential is realized in the under “cool” side.