Atmospheric water generator and solar panels: producing your own water autonomously
Producing your own water from air, with the energy of the sun: it is possible, and it is particularly relevant in warm and sunny regions, where generators produce the most. Here’s how to size a solar installation for your generator.
Why associate solar energy with a water generator?
- Total autonomy : potable water without a water network or electricity network, ideal for an isolated site, a boat moored at the dock, a humanitarian project.
- Almost zero cost of use once the installation is amortized.
- Good correspondence It’s often when it’s hot and sunny that we need the most water… and that the generator is effective.
The 3-step calculation method
- The consumption of the generator : increase its electrical power in production (indicated in the technical specifications of each model).
- The duration of operation : how many hours per day does it have to run to produce the volume of water you need. Energy per day (Wh) = power (W) × operating hours.
- The solar production In metropolitan France, a panel produces on average the equivalent of 3 to 4 hours of its peak power every day; in the Antilles and in the tropics, rather 4 to 5 hours.
Theoretical example A 500 W device that operates 8 hours a day consumes 4,000 Wh, or 4 kWh. In the tropics, with approximately 4.5 hours of equivalent sunlight, about 900 Wc of panels are required, plus a margin of 20 to 30 % for losses and cloudy days.
Self-consumption or batteries?
- Self-consumption during the day, connected to the network The generator operates on solar power during the day and on the grid the rest of the time. This is the simplest and cheapest solution.
- Isolated site with batteries The batteries store energy to run the generator at night, when the relative humidity is often highest. The installation is more expensive, but the autonomy is complete.
- Inverter Choose a pure sine wave inverter capable of absorbing the compressor’s start-up peak.
Which generator for a solar installation?
In summary
- An atmospheric water generator can operate using solar energy.
- Calculate the necessary energy (power × hours) and then the power of the panels, with a margin.
- Essential batteries for an isolated site; sufficient self-consumption during the day, otherwise.
Do you have a project in the field of isolation or humanitarian aid? Contact us We dimension your installation free of charge. See also: our humanitarian projects.
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