Iranian engineers create Iranian technology that combines solar energy and water purification to expand access to drinking water with sustainable innovation.
A team of Iranian engineers has developed a mobile system that combines solar energy and water purification to provide drinking water in areas without access to electricity and supply networks. According to information from TV BRICS on June 26, 2026, the equipment was designed to operate fully autonomously, serving both remote communities and emergency situations.
The Iranian technology received national recognition by being chosen as the best initiative at the Iran National Social Innovation Competition. After the award, the project received financial support for its implementation and began operating in a village in the province of Sistan and Baluchestan. The proposal reinforces the potential of sustainable innovation to address issues related to water scarcity and limited energy access.
How Iranian technology transforms local water into drinking water
The system was developed to operate independently of conventional water and energy networks. The entire structure is divided into two main modules: one dedicated to water purification and the other responsible for electricity generation.
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Energy is produced by a set composed of solar panels, an inverter, and storage batteries. This allows the equipment to continue functioning even when there is no direct sunlight, ensuring greater operational autonomy.
The water used by the system can be sourced from various available sources in the region itself, such as rainwater reservoirs, irrigation channels, and wells. After passing through nanocarbon membranes, it is transformed into drinking water suitable for human consumption.
Iranian engineers bet on nanocarbon membranes to reduce costs
One of the main differentiators of the project is the use of nanocarbon membranes. According to the developers, they can achieve a lifespan of up to 15 years under ideal operating conditions, without the need for periodic filter replacement.
In practice, this feature reduces maintenance costs and facilitates operation in areas where access to technical assistance is limited.
The main advantages of the system include:
- operation without connection to the electrical grid;
- local production of drinking water;
- low maintenance requirement;
- use of different water sources;
- operation fully powered by solar energy.
This combination makes the solution more practical for communities facing infrastructure challenges.
Solar energy ensures operation for up to 10 hours daily
The choice of solar energy was crucial to make the equipment completely independent.
The photovoltaic panels generate the electricity needed to power the entire system, while the batteries store energy to maintain operation during periods without sunlight.
According to those responsible for the project, the equipment can operate for up to 10 hours per day, a sufficient period to provide the necessary drinking water for the served community.
Besides autonomy, the use of renewable sources reduces operational costs and eliminates the need for fuels for energy generation.
Implementation in Sistão and Baluchistão marks the first application of sustainable innovation
The first equipment was installed in the border village of Rohgam Jan Mohammad, located in the county of Dashtiari, in the province of Sistão and Baluchistão, southeastern region of Iran.
According to Mouloud Abbasi, director of Nourhan Energy Technology Company, the proposal has always been to develop equipment capable of serving regions with poor infrastructure, offering continuous access to drinking water through the integration of solar energy and water purification.
Abbasi also explained that the project went through several evaluation stages before receiving financial support from the Barakat Institute for its implementation.
Iranian technology uses local sources to expand water access
In the region where the equipment was installed, the water used by the system comes from the so-called hotaks, reservoirs used to store rainwater and considered important for supplying the local population.
After collection, the water passes through nanocarbon membranes and the entire water purification process, making it suitable for consumption.
The possibility of utilizing water resources already available in the region reduces the need for large infrastructure works and expands the reach of sustainable innovation.
Iranian technology seeks to compete with international solutions
According to the project leaders, there are already similar systems used in other countries, including Germany. However, the integration between nanocarbon membranes and a fully independent solar energy system was still unprecedented in Iran.
The developers claim that the national solution offers competitive quality compared to foreign models, as well as more affordable costs and technical assistance within the country itself.
This set of characteristics strengthens the Iranian technology as an alternative for regions affected by water scarcity.
System price and plans to expand capacity
According to Mouloud Abbasi, the cost of the equipment varies according to its production capacity.
Basic models can be implemented for approximately 1 billion and 500 million tomans, while larger versions are expected to serve an even greater number of people.
The company’s plans include installing new equipment in other regions of Sistan and Baluchistan and also in different underprivileged areas of the country.
Among the expansion goals are:
- increasing the production of drinking water;
- bring Iranian technology to other communities;
- expand the use of solar energy in isolated regions;
- integrate water and energy solutions in future projects.
Institutional support will be decisive to expand this sustainable innovation
The project leaders emphasize that the main challenge to expand the initiative is financing.
According to Mouloud Abbasi, many communities that could benefit do not have the financial means to acquire this type of equipment. Therefore, the participation of public institutions and support organizations will be fundamental to expand access to the technology.
In the team’s assessment, initiatives like this demonstrate how the integration of solar energy, water purification, and autonomous solutions can contribute to simultaneously addressing the challenges of water scarcity and infrastructure limitations. The expectation is that the sustainable innovation developed by Iranian engineers will continue to evolve and reach an increasing number of communities that rely on efficient alternatives to ensure access to drinking water.
