Having access to clean drinking water is something most of us do not think twice about. We turn on the tap, and safe, refreshing water flows out. But when you are hiking, camping, dealing with emergencies after natural disasters, or off-grid living, you cannot depend on municipal water supplies. That is where portable solar water purifiers come in. These devices use sunlight to remove harmful contaminants, turning dirty water into drinkable water.
There are many different solar water purification products, each designed for specific needs. Let’s take a closer look at how they work and some top options to help you decide which one fits your situation best.
Key Takeaways
- Solar water purifiers use sunlight to disinfect and make contaminated water safe to drink, ideal for camping, hiking, and emergencies.
- Water purification methods vary in effectiveness based on water source and contaminant types.
- Consider purification method, capacity, portability, durability, and costs when choosing a solar purifier.
- Solar water purifiers cost between $120 and $600 or more.
What Are Solar Water Purifiers?
Solar water purifiers are innovative, eco-friendly devices designed to clean contaminated water when regular drinking water isn’t available. Carrying enough bottled water for even a short camping trip can be heavy and impractical. And with natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, and droughts becoming more common, having a reliable way to purify water is more important than ever.
These purifiers rely on sunlight—specifically its ultraviolet (UV) rays—to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. They make water from streams, lakes, or other untreated sources safe for drinking.
For a deeper dive into the advancements in clean water solutions, check out our article on the future of solar water purifiers.
How Solar Water Purifiers Work
Solar water purifiers use sunlight to disinfect water. There are three main methods of removing impurities from water. Here’s how they work:
- Solar Disinfection. The simplest solar treatment option method is called Solar Disinfection, or SODIS. This is how it is done: you fill a clear plastic bottle or jar with the water you want to clean and leave it outside to let the solar rays disinfect it in 6+ hours. The sun’s UV lights disrupt the DNA and RNA of harmful bacteria and parasites, preventing their reproduction and destroying them. While about as cheap and portable as it gets, SODIS only works in ideal sunny conditions and doesn’t remove non-biological contaminants. For most hikers and travelers, a dedicated purifier is more convenient and comprehensive.
- Solar Water Distillation. Solar water purifiers also use a process called solar distillation, in which the sun’s heat boils contaminated water in a specialized container. As the water boils and turns to vapor, contaminants like dirt, salts, metals, and microorganisms get left behind in the container. The clean water vapor then condenses on the cool inner surface of the container’s lid, collecting as purified drinking water. This distillation process effectively removes a wide range of impurities from the original contaminated water source.
- Solar Filtration Systems. Some solar water purifiers go a step further and include filtration systems that run on solar power. A tiny sun-powered pump pushes water through a special mesh, like a super-fine strainer, to remove any big chunks or debris. Some filters use activated carbon to catch smaller impurities. This extra filtration, along with heating or evaporation, makes your water even cleaner and safer to drink.
In addition to providing clean drinking water, solar power can be used for efficient irrigation systems, supporting sustainable water use.
Top 5 Solar Water Purifiers
- Emergency Survival Water Distiller
- H2Go Purifier
- Aquamate Solar Still Emergency Water Purification Inflatable Kit
- GoSun Flow Solar Water Purifier
- Solvatten
Emergency Survival Water Distiller
This solar water purifier from Waterdistillers.com is easy to carry and uses several methods to make water safe to drink. It relies on solar distillation to clean water by using heat from the sun to evaporate and condense water. This process removes harmful things like bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and salts, even from salty or brackish water. The result is very clean, safe drinking water.
A special feature of this purifier is its gravity filter add-on. After water is distilled, it passes through an activated carbon filter. This step removes chemicals and provides an extra layer of purification. Another handy feature is the auto-fill system, which lets you transfer distilled water back into the raw water chamber to keep the cycle going. Plus, the distiller doesn’t require disposable filters or added chemicals, making it simple to use.
Made from strong stainless steel, the purifier is built to handle tough outdoor conditions. Despite its durability, it’s lightweight and compact, making it easy to take along on camping trips, hiking adventures, or emergencies. It’s also perfect for use in remote areas without electricity.
Explore how solar-powered refrigerators can complement your off-grid setup along with effective solar water purifiers.
H2Go Purifier
The H2Go Purifier is a fast and effective way to disinfect water, killing over 99.9% of viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It creates a chlorine-based disinfectant quickly and doesn’t need any pumping or expensive filter cartridges, making it simple to use and low-maintenance. This design not only saves time but also reduces the overall cost of keeping water clean.
The H2Go Purifier is highly efficient, disinfecting up to five gallons of water in just five minutes. This speed is especially helpful in emergencies. It operates using regular water and a bit of common salt, making it easy to find the materials you need to use it.
Portability is another strong feature of this purifier. A fully charged battery, which you can power via USB or solar energy, can treat up to 65 gallons of water. The device is lightweight, compact, and built to handle tough conditions, so it’s great for outdoor adventures or emergency situations. Its sturdy build ensures reliable performance, even in challenging environments.
For off-grid farms, solar and wind power kits provide reliable energy for irrigation and other agricultural needs.
Aquamate Solar Still Emergency Water Purification Inflatable Kit
The Aquamate Solar Still Emergency Water Purification Inflatable Kit is an excellent addition to any emergency preparedness kit. This portable and compact device turns salt water, brackish water, or contaminated water into clean, drinkable fresh water using only sunlight.
The kit comes with an inflatable solar still, a dome-shaped container made of transparent material. To use it, you fill the still with dirty water, set it in the sun, and let the sunlight heat the water. As the water evaporates, the vapor condenses on the dome’s inner surface, collecting as pure, distilled water. This method effectively removes many contaminants. However, it works more slowly than other purification methods and requires direct sunlight.
Setting up the Aquamate Solar Still is simple, with no need for complicated tools. Its user-friendly design makes it ideal for survival situations, outdoor adventures, or emergencies. The inflatable construction makes it lightweight and easy to carry in a backpack, ensuring you can access clean water wherever you go.
One of the biggest advantages of the Aquamate Solar Still is its ability to purify water from various sources, including seawater, stagnant water, or contaminated water sources. This versatility allows you to get safe drinking water even in the most challenging environments, where traditional water purification methods may not be effective or available.
Off-grid setups can benefit from integrating solar water heaters to meet hot water needs sustainably.
GoSun Flow Solar Water Purifier
The GoSun Flow Solar Water Purifier is an efficient, eco-friendly way to get clean water in many different settings. It uses solar power to pump water through filters, removing harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites to make the water safe for drinking and other uses.
Setting up the GoSun Flow is easy. Simply place the solar panel in direct sunlight, and the device will automatically start pumping and purifying water from any available source, for example, a nearby stream, lake, or even a bucket of contaminated water. The GoSun Flow’s advanced filtration system guarantees pure and safe water. It eliminates various contaminants like bacteria, viruses, and heavy metals, meeting top safety standards for drinking or personal use.
GoSun Flow does more than purify water. It doubles as a handwashing station, perfect for keeping clean in remote places. You can also convert it for showering, providing a refreshing, environmentally-friendly cleanup option for outdoor trips or emergencies.
Powered entirely by solar energy, the GoSun Flow does not need batteries, fuel, or electricity, making it a great option for off-grid living or eco-conscious users. It’s also a reliable tool during emergencies when regular water sources are unavailable.
Solvatten
The Solvatten water purifier is a simple yet powerful solution for obtaining clean, safe drinking water using sunlight. To use it, you fill the container with water from any source—like a river, lake, or even a puddle—and place it in direct sunlight. The sun heats the water inside, killing bacteria, viruses, and parasites, making the water safe to drink. No chemicals, filters, or expensive parts are required.
In addition to purifying water for drinking, Solvatten can heat water for cooking or bathing. This dual-purpose functionality is helpful for camping, hiking, or emergencies.
Solvatten is designed to handle tough conditions. Its lightweight and compact design makes it easy to carry, while its durable build ensures it lasts even in harsh environments. It’s a reliable way to access clean water in remote areas or during emergencies when clean water sources are limited.
Factors to Consider When Shopping for a Solar Water Purifier
When shopping for a solar water purifier, consider these main factors to find the best one for you:
- Water Source. Different solar purifiers are designed to handle different water sources, such as freshwater, saltwater, or contaminated water. Consider the type of water you will be purifying and choose a purifier that can handle that source effectively.
- Purification Method. Solar water purifiers use different methods to purify water, including UV radiation, heat pasteurization, or a combination of filtration and disinfection. Check the purification method and ensure it meets your requirements for removing specific contaminants like bacteria, viruses, or heavy metals.
- Water Quality. Solar distillation is effective but slow, while UV light is faster but may not remove all contaminants. Do not expect a purifier to work miracles with hopelessly nasty water sources filled with chemicals, sewage, etc. Use your best judgment about upstream contamination.
- Purification Capacity. Consider the volume of water you need to purify daily or during each use. Some solar purifiers have higher capacities than others, ranging from a few liters to several gallons per day.
- Portability. If you plan to use the solar purifier for camping, hiking, or emergency situations, portability is critical. Opt for compact and lightweight designs that are easy to carry or pack.
- Setup and Ease of Use. Check how easy it is to set up and operate the solar purifier. Some models require more complex setup or maintenance than others.
- Battery or Power Source. Some solar purifiers have built-in batteries or can be charged via USB or solar panels, allowing for off-grid use. Consider your power needs and whether you need a purifier with a battery or alternative charging options.
- Durability. If you plan to use the solar purifier in rugged outdoor conditions or emergency situations, durability is key. Look for products made with high-quality, weather-resistant materials.
- Cost and Maintenance. Compare the initial cost of the solar purifier with the ongoing maintenance and replacement costs for filters. Some purifiers have lower upfront costs but higher long-term costs, while others are more expensive initially but have lower maintenance costs.
- Brand Reputation and Customer Reviews. Research the manufacturer’s reputation and read customer reviews to get an idea of the product’s performance, durability, and customer satisfaction.
- Cost. Solar water purifiers range in price from around $120 to $600 and more.
Remember, solar water purifiers are not a guaranteed replacement for water treatment plants. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and to use them in conjunction with good water hygiene practices.
Wrapping Up
Access to clean drinking water is vital, especially in emergencies or outdoor settings where municipal water isn’t available. Solar water purifiers offer an eco-friendly, reliable solution by using sunlight to make contaminated water safe. These devices vary in purification methods, capacity, and design, allowing you to choose one that best fits your needs. Whether you are camping, hiking, or preparing for disasters, solar purifiers ensure access to clean water without relying on electricity or disposable filters. Knowing your water source and specific requirements, you can invest in a durable, portable purifier to stay safe and hydrated wherever your adventures take you.