Answering “Can I produce water from air at my location?” requires more than a weather forecast. Assessing an atmospheric water generator means considering temperature, humidity, equipment conditions and water demand together over the intended operating period.
This guide brings together the information to prepare before choosing a model. It aims to help you plan a site assessment in Spain or Latin America, with an estimate that accounts for variations in climate.
Why relative humidity matters
Relative humidity expresses, as a percentage, the ratio of the water vapour present to the amount corresponding to saturation at that temperature. The definition provided by Euskalmet, the Basque meteorological agency, explains why this percentage must be considered alongside temperature.
Two places with the same relative humidity may have different amounts of water vapour in the air if their temperatures differ. A screenshot showing only “humidity” is therefore insufficient to evaluate equipment performance.
It is also useful to know when a reading was taken and how it changes during the day. Data for an assessment should keep temperature and humidity measurements from the same moment together, along with their units and location.
Temperature and the equipment's rated capacity
In condensation-based systems, the equipment cools air to recover some of its moisture. The EPA describes how output depends on temperature and humidity. To learn about the stages of the process, see our atmospheric water generation technology section.
A model's stated capacity needs its reference conditions. Before using that figure to size a project, request the test temperature and humidity, operating period and available data for other conditions. Rated output must not automatically be treated as a constant daily forecast.
Nor is there one humidity threshold that applies to every technology and model. To determine whether equipment suits your location, check its operating range and the technical conditions provided by the manufacturer.
Climate data to collect
Prepare information for the specific site. Records from a nearby station are a starting point if its representativeness, distance and differences in altitude or exposure are understood. In Spain, AEMET publishes temperature and relative humidity observations with their measurement times.
- Location: municipality, approximate coordinates, altitude and installation surroundings.
- Temperature and humidity: records from the same period, preferably with hourly detail when the study requires it.
- Seasonality: months and periods less favourable for the planned operation.
- Site conditions: ventilation, proximity to heat sources and intake air quality.
- Intended use: operating hours, demand and storage buffer.
For a project in Latin America, seek information from the country's meteorological service and stations representative of the site. Using a whole-country average or copying data from its capital is insufficient.
Turning the data into an estimate
The next step is to compare local conditions with the model's performance data. The assessment should explain which records it uses, how it estimates operating hours and what assumptions it makes when information is missing. Presenting scenarios and identifying periods with lower expected output is useful.
Demand must be analysed over the same calendar. A facility with higher consumption precisely during the least favourable months needs a different approach from one with stable demand. To assess continuity and reserves, review tanks and storage alongside the installation requirements.
Water availability alone does not resolve electricity requirements. Compare output and consumption over the same period and assess the system's power supply with our energy solutions. The relationship between electricity used and litres produced must also form part of the estimate.
Spain and Latin America: assess the site as well as the market
Conditions in coastal, mountainous and inland locations may differ even within the same region. The season, immediate surroundings and operating schedule are also part of the assessment.
Beyond climate, a project needs to plan for electricity access, maintenance, consumables and support. In a community, accommodation facility or industrial installation, selection must address the full set of requirements. Our large projects and engineering areas can help scope this assessment.
Prepare your technical enquiry
Gather the location, daily demand, usage schedule and available climate data. Then consult the Teexmicron equipment catalogue and request a site assessment. This will allow us to study a configuration using specific information and clarify what additional data is needed.
The meteorological and technical references in this guide provide general context. They do not replace model testing or substantiate a particular output at your location.