Solar Water Solutions is awarded the Baltic Sea Award
The prize is intended to draw attention to the state of the Baltic Sea and reward a company or person who has done valuable work for the environment. The award winner was chosen by a panel composed of representatives of entities that themselves make significant efforts to save the Baltic Sea.
PRESS RELEASE:
Solar Water Solutions Ltd received the first Save the Baltic Sea Award for their solar-powered water purification system. Making potable water from seawater or contaminated borehole locally, significantly reduces the number of plastic bottles in the Baltic Sea area and reduces the need for water transport. The prize was awarded at the Boat fair on February 15, 2019.
The 5,000€ Save the Baltic Sea Award, funded by the Finnish Fair Foundation, is awarded for the first time this year. The prize is intended to draw attention to the state of the Baltic Sea and reward a company or person who has done valuable work for the environment.
The award winner was chosen by a panel composed of representatives of entities that themselves make significant efforts to save the Baltic Sea: Annamari Arrakoski-Engardt from the John Nurminen Foundation; Aija Kaski from Keep the Archipelago Tidy Association, and; Johan Schmidt from the Baltic Sea Action Group.
Solar Water Solutions has developed a system for turning seawater into drinking water utilizing only renewable energy. Since founding the company in 2015, the founder has transformed his innovation into a family business with the mission to produce clean water in an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective way.
The panel drew attention to the reliance on renewable energy and the scalability of the product. The water purification unit can be scaled to purify water for one household or the whole village. Plastic bottles and packaging are one of the biggest challenges facing marine environments globally, and the Baltic Sea is no exception. The Solar Water Solutions innovation reduces the need for plastic water bottles in the archipelago as well as the environmental impact of water transportation.
The company offers scalable solutions to fit everything from summer cottages to entire villages. Their innovation showcases how Finnish ingenuity and technical knowledge can have a significant impact in countries lacking a reliable supply of clean water. In Kenya, a water purification unit is currently producing clean water for 700 villagers.
The prize-giving ceremony took place at the Vene 19 Båt Boat fair on Friday the 15th of February, signifying the kick-off of the Baltic Sea Program. The panel presented the award to Antti Pohjola, Managing Director of Solar Water Solutions Oy.
The Finnish Fair Foundation supports Finnish innovation and industry by awarding scholarships and recognition awards worth around 400,000 € annually. The best known being the Kaj Franck Design Award. The Exhibition Center organizes the largest boating event in Northern Europe, commissioned by the Finnish Federation of Boat Companies. Vene 19 Båt fair showcases the activities of the Baltic Sea Action Group and this year will bring even more Baltic Sea content to the event. The main partner of the fair is Mercedes-Benz. More than 500 boats and the latest products related to fishing and boating are presented at the fair.
Further information:
Exhibition Center, Press Officer Teija Armanto, Messukeskus, tel. +358 50 376 0809
Solar Water Solutions Oy, Managing Director Antti Pohjola, tel. +358 50 668 66
Photos of the prize will be available at https://messukeskus.mediabank.fi/en