Apparatus and method for obtaining fresh water

A method of using an apparatus on a ground in a semi-arid, arid or extremely arid region to obtain fresh water by artificially generating a precipitation, wherein the method of using the apparatus comprises:

• using at least one darkening body to form a darkening surface having a width and/or a length of at least 3 km and an albedo of less than 0.1, wherein the at least one darkening body comprises only one such darkening body forming the darkening surface or a plurality of such darkening bodies that are arranged side by side to one another and together form the darkening surface;
• arranging at least one base frame on the ground to support the at least one darkening body so as to keep the at least one darkening body spaced apart from the ground in order to form a space between the at least one darkening body and the ground;
• and
• arranging a precipitation collection system at least partially within the space to collect and store the precipitation falling on the darkening surface, wherein the precipitation collection system comprises at least one water tank and at least one precipitation collection channel that is fluidly connected to the at least one water tank.

A method for obtaining fresh water by artificially generating a precipitation, comprising:

• providing at least one darkening body;
• arranging the at least one darkening body on a ground in a semi-arid, arid or extremely arid region so as to form a darkening surface which has a width and/or a length of at least 3 km and an albedo of less than 0.1, wherein the at least one darkening body comprises only one such darkening body forming the darkening surface or a plurality of such darkening bodies which are arranged side by side to one another and together form the darkening surface;
• supporting the at least one darkening body using at least one base frame such that the at least one darkening body is kept spaced apart from the ground in order to form a space between the at least one darkening body and the ground and such that a local heat low is generated that destabilizes air mass above the darkening surface and generates a change in air flow over the darkening surface, which change in air flow leads to a convergence zone above or on a wind-remote side of the darkening surface and, ultimately, to artificial generation of precipitation which falls at least partially on the darkening surface;
• and
• collecting and storing the precipitation using a precipitation collection system that is arranged at least partially within the space, wherein the precipitation collection system comprises at least one water tank and at least one precipitation collection channel that is fluidly connected to the at least one water tank.