Zero Mass Water unveiled their new Rexi Source hydropanel at CES 2020. The device promises to produce drinkable water out of the air. (Image Credit: Zero Mass Water)
At CES 2020, Zero Mass Water, a startup based in Arizona, unveiled its Rexi Source hydropanel, a panel that looks similar to a solar roof panel, except it doesn’t harness energy from the sun, but instead creates water from the air. This new device could help create drinking water where it’s not accessible or unsafe in communities around the world. The panel costs $2,500, and that excludes installation prices, which is estimated to cost another $1,000.
The company’s hydropanels use solar power to extract moisture from the air, absorbs it into hygroscopic material and condenses it into water. It also comes equipped with sensors and a cellular connection that allows the owner to check up on the status of the panel. It can also connect to the Zero Mass’ network to share data analysis and to detect any faults in the panel.
Once the water is created, minerals like calcium and magnesium are added to make it pure. Afterward, the water gets pumped to the owner’s house, skipping water utilities, so there’s no chance of contamination. There isn’t much maintenance to worry about either since the air filter will only need to be replaced once a year and the mineral cartridge every five years.
There is only about a gallon of water produced per day by the hydropanel, so it’s not a freshwater replacement. Zero Mass markets the Rexi as a way to take control of drinkable water while making it risk-free.
However, the hydropanel doesn’t operate in cold climates. When the temperature gets too cold, the panel goes into the ‘hibernate’ mode, which prevents damage to the panel, making it impossible to get water during the winter.
Watergen, a Water tech company, was also involved in CES 2020, unveiled the solar-powered GENNY, a newer version of its moisture-based water system. The new GENNY costs between $5,000 - $8,000, with all expenses, including shipping and installation accounted for. A launch date has yet to be announced.
The current GENNY system acts as a dehumidifier, drawing in moist air through a filter in the back of the device, cleaning it and dispensing it out the front. Like most water coolers, it requires a wall outlet to function. It can dispense up to 13 liters of water per day with 9 kWh of energy and can function in temperatures ranging from 15-40 degrees Celsius with over 25% of relative humidity.
The new GENNY model runs on the same technology but doesn’t need a wall outlet to function. Instead, it relies on four massive solar panels that ship with the device. It can serve people who live off the grid and could be useful for those who need drinking water in less-developed countries or in a crisis zone.
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