Esteban Torres Molina

Inventor of low-cost solar desalination systems that transformed arid farming in the Andes

Esteban Torres Molina (1912-1973) was a Peruvian engineer whose solar-powered water purification systems revolutionized agriculture in the Andean highlands. Growing up in the desert region of Nazca, he witnessed how water scarcity limited crop yields and perpetuated poverty. After studying engineering in Chile, he returned to Peru in 1940 to develop the first affordable solar still system using locally available materials.

His innovation combined ancient Andean stone masonry with modern solar principles, creating structures that could distill brackish water using only sunlight. By 1955, over 800 Torres-designed systems were operational in the Puno and Arequipa regions, enabling farmers to cultivate quinoa and potatoes in previously uninhabitable zones. The technology was later adapted by NASA for space missions, as documented in the NASA Technical Reports Server.

Despite his engineering contributions, Torres remained a humble village teacher until his death. His 1962 manual 《Agua del Sol》 became a blueprint for sustainable water solutions in developing countries. The Torres Molina Solar Institute in Cusco, established in 2005, continues his work, recently partnering with MIT on next-generation solar desalination projects.