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Suntap
Hot Water for Everyone
Hot Water for Everyone
Hot Water for Everyone
A solar water heater designed for emerging markets
A solar water heater designed for emerging markets
Suntap is the first solar water heater designed specifically for emerging markets. Its unconventional design is affordable, low tech, compact, and easy-to-install. We believe affordable clean energy is a key ingredient in lifting people out of poverty. It is also a good business opportunity and important in securing the health of the planet.
It is estimated that approximately 160 million people join the developing world’s “emerging middle class” each year. Therefore, this group’s spending and energy demand will double between now and 2030, making it a critical social and economic factor. A world with more middle-class people must wrestle with the implications of carbon dioxide emissions. In 2017 alone, the global energy demand grew 2.1% and energy-related emissions rose by 1.4%.
Heating water requires about one third of the total energy used in a household. Therefore, we believe solar thermal technology can play a major role in the imminent clean energy transition. We are confident that the global market for an affordable solar water heater like Suntap is over one-billion users.
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Since 2015
Design Research, Industrial Design, Prototyping, Design Strategy
https://suntap.solar/
Suntap is the first solar water heater designed specifically for emerging markets. Its unconventional design is affordable, low tech, compact, and easy-to-install. We believe affordable clean energy is a key ingredient in lifting people out of poverty. It is also a good business opportunity and important in securing the health of the planet.
It is estimated that approximately 160 million people join the developing world’s “emerging middle class” each year. Therefore, this group’s spending and energy demand will double between now and 2030, making it a critical social and economic factor. A world with more middle-class people must wrestle with the implications of carbon dioxide emissions. In 2017 alone, the global energy demand grew 2.1% and energy-related emissions rose by 1.4%.
Heating water requires about one third of the total energy used in a household. Therefore, we believe solar thermal technology can play a major role in the imminent clean energy transition. We are confident that the global market for an affordable solar water heater like Suntap is over one-billion users.
___
Since 2015
Design Research, Industrial Design, Prototyping, Design Strategy
https://suntap.solar/
Suntap is the first solar water heater designed specifically for emerging markets. Its unconventional design is affordable, low tech, compact, and easy-to-install. We believe affordable clean energy is a key ingredient in lifting people out of poverty. It is also a good business opportunity and important in securing the health of the planet.
It is estimated that approximately 160 million people join the developing world’s “emerging middle class” each year. Therefore, this group’s spending and energy demand will double between now and 2030, making it a critical social and economic factor. A world with more middle-class people must wrestle with the implications of carbon dioxide emissions. In 2017 alone, the global energy demand grew 2.1% and energy-related emissions rose by 1.4%.
Heating water requires about one third of the total energy used in a household. Therefore, we believe solar thermal technology can play a major role in the imminent clean energy transition. We are confident that the global market for an affordable solar water heater like Suntap is over one-billion users.
___
Since 2015
Design Research, Industrial Design, Prototyping, Design Strategy
https://suntap.solar/
User Research in Mexico
Most families we talked to had gas stoves for quick meals and reheating. The stoves were not used for daily cooking due to the high cost of gas. Outdoor wood fireplaces were used for cooking tortillas, beans and to heat water. Currently, families bathe every third day, but with more hot water available they would bathe every day and wash dishes with hot water. As seen in this photo, houses are equipped with gravity-fed water tanks. Suntap can be attached easily and in a cost-effective manner.
User Research in Mexico
Most families we talked to had gas stoves for quick meals and reheating. The stoves were not used for daily cooking due to the high cost of gas. Outdoor wood fireplaces were used for cooking tortillas, beans and to heat water. Currently, families bathe every third day, but with more hot water available they would bathe every day and wash dishes with hot water. As seen in this photo, houses are equipped with gravity-fed water tanks. Suntap can be attached easily and in a cost-effective manner.
User Research in Mexico
Most families we talked to had gas stoves for quick meals and reheating. The stoves were not used for daily cooking due to the high cost of gas. Outdoor wood fireplaces were used for cooking tortillas, beans and to heat water. Currently, families bathe every third day, but with more hot water available they would bathe every day and wash dishes with hot water. As seen in this photo, houses are equipped with gravity-fed water tanks. Suntap can be attached easily and in a cost-effective manner.
First market test (literally).
Over the course of the project, we researched user needs in India and Mexico. In Mexico, we even had the opportunity to showcase the Suntap in a market square. The response was generally positive. People were intrigued, understood the benefits and signed up for a future pilot test. Though the market for simple solar thermal products is still in its infancy, there is a large potential for growth.
First market test (literally).
Over the course of the project, we researched user needs in India and Mexico. In Mexico, we even had the opportunity to showcase the Suntap in a market square. The response was generally positive. People were intrigued, understood the benefits and signed up for a future pilot test. Though the market for simple solar thermal products is still in its infancy, there is a large potential for growth.
First market test (literally).
Over the course of the project, we researched user needs in India and Mexico. In Mexico, we even had the opportunity to showcase the Suntap in a market square. The response was generally positive. People were intrigued, understood the benefits and signed up for a future pilot test. Though the market for simple solar thermal products is still in its infancy, there is a large potential for growth.
Let's create fewer, but better.