Addressing the global water crisis has become one of the most pressing challenges of our time. In Chile, a startup named Awa Solar, founded by Andrés and Horacio Vásquez alongside Catalina Kissling, is developing a sustainable solution that uses renewable energy to produce clean, accessible drinking water.
Clean Water from Thin Air
Awa Solar combines renewable energy with 100% Chilean technology to create machines that condense atmospheric humidity and transform it into potable water. Powered entirely by solar energy, these machines operate with zero carbon emissions, offering an environmentally friendly alternative in areas hit hardest by water scarcity—particularly the Andean foothills of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, where cofounder Andrés Vásquez grew up.
“We studied the key consequences of climate change and saw the opportunity to merge renewable energy with water generation, to help alleviate today’s water shortages,” said Andrés Vásquez, designer and cofounder of Awa Solar.
Technology Meets Taste
Beyond its technological innovation, Awa Solar also markets a unique product: “gourmet water.” This purified water contains just the right minerals for optimal hydration, without chlorine, making it lighter and easier to drink. Through the Unimarc 100% Nuestro program, Awa Solar water is now available in 51 stores across 14 Chilean regions.
“Products like Awa Solar are not only developed by local entrepreneurs but also reflect key sustainability attributes and aim to solve pressing social and environmental issues,” said Marcela Salas, Sustainability Manager at SMU.
Scalable Innovation: Airwa City
In 2024, Awa Solar launched a bold new initiative: Airwa City, a totem-style atmospheric water generator installed at public locations in Santiago. These units provide free water refills, encouraging residents to use reusable bottles and reducing reliance on single-use plastics.
“The goal is to eliminate single-use bottles altogether. We want people to refill their reusable containers at our stations,” Andrés explained.
A Socially Driven Mission
From its inception, Awa Solar has committed 10% of its profits to bring clean water to underserved communities. During the pandemic, the company delivered over 40,000 cans of water to La Viña School in Cabildo, which was on the verge of closing due to lack of potable water.
Looking ahead, Awa Solar plans to expand into Peru and Colombia in 2025, with a potential investment round to take its zero-plastic, sustainable technology to North America and Europe, where demand for innovative environmental solutions continues to grow.
