Solar powered water desalination device for emergency relief

If a disaster strikes, clean drinking water and emergency electricity can now be made available through a new device its makers call the Solar Cube.

Portable and assembled on site, the Solar Cube is powered by sunlight and wind, and can provide up to 3,500 gallons of clean drinking water per day from polluted water or salt water — enough to sustain hundreds of families in an emergency.

The Solar Cube is a cooperative project by Spectra Watermakers, Inc., of San Rafael, California and Trunz Metallchnik AG of Switzerland.

The two companies say it can also provide enough energy for emergency disaster officials to power refrigeration for emergency medical supplies, keep a laptop on-line, or ensure that crisis communications equipment remains operational.

The Solar Cube works by placing a pump, which is attached to the machine, into a polluted water or salt water source. The water is pumped through a series of filters to remove large matter. At the final stage, the water is filtered through a reverse osmosis membrane, which is so fine that it dispels all bacteria, viruses, salts and dangerous chemicals.

Power for the Solar Cube’s operation is generated by 24 volt batteries which are charged by both the integrated photovoltaic solar panels and a wind powered generator. Once assembled, the system is easy to operate, cleans its own filters, and has a service life of at least seven years, the companies say.

Photo of the Solar Cube in action >>

During the past year, the Solar Cube has been introduced into remote areas of Asia and South America. Prototypes provided drinking water and electrical power to several villages in Pakistan after the major earthquake in 2005. Currently, the Solar Cube is being used in isolated villages in Venezuela, and Pakistan.

The Solar Cube ranges in price from $38,000 to $80,000 USD. Training and operational instruction is included in the purchase price.

It's the latest in a series of new products to employ green technology to serve in emergency relief applications. Only a few weeks ago, Ecosphere Technologies of Florida introduced its Ecos LifeLink (see New all-in-one disaster relief system.)