Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 7 hrs ago
Chiapas student presents low-cost solar water heater to Sheinbaum
Chiapas student Xóchitl Guadalupe Cruz López met President Claudia Sheinbaum at Mexico’s National Palace on November 5.
Cruz presented her solar water heater, a project she began at age eight for families in cold San Cristóbal de las Casas.
Black-painted plastic bottles absorb sunlight and warm water, which moves through the system into a storage tank by natural circulation.
It needs no electricity, gas or pump, and one version can heat up to 50 litres of water to nearly 70°C.
The low-cost design could reduce household fuel costs and wood use, easing pressure on natural resources.
Cruz also shared other research on social and environmental issues.
She developed her skills through PAUTA, a programme linked to the UNAM.
Sheinbaum said she wanted to meet Cruz and support her, but no further steps were specified.
Xóchitl Guadalupe Cruz López presented her low-cost solar water heater to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum at the National Palace on November 5.
The project, called Baño Calientito, was designed to help families in cold San Cristóbal de las Casas get hot water without gas or firewood.
Its first prototype used plastic bottles, hoses, wood and reused refrigerator glass.
The system uses sunlight and natural circulation, and does not require electricity, gas or pumps.
One version can heat up to 50 litres of water to around 70°C, according to information reported about the invention.
- Who
- Xóchitl Guadalupe Cruz López, a student from Chiapas, presented the heater to President Claudia Sheinbaum.
- What
- She explained her low-cost solar water heater, called Baño Calientito.
- When
- November 5. The sources do not state the year.
- Where
- The National Palace in Mexico City.
- Why
- The heater was developed to help families in cold San Cristóbal de las Casas get hot water without relying on gas or firewood.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Xóchitl began work on a solar water heater for families in San Cristóbal de las Casas.
At age eight, she became the first girl to receive the ICN Recognition for Women from UNAM's Institute of Nuclear Sciences.
Sheinbaum replied to a video about Xóchitl, saying she wanted to meet and support her.
Xóchitl went to the National Palace with her mother and presented her heater and other research to Sheinbaum.
- Project
- Baño Calientito
- Materials
- PET plastic bottles, hoses, wood and reused refrigerator glass
- Heating capacity
- Up to 50 litres of water at temperatures near 70°C
- Location served
- San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas
- Recognition
- First girl to receive the ICN Recognition for Women, in 2018
What people are saying
Querido Alexis, vi tu video. Me encantaría conocer a Xóchitl y apoyarla.