Chris,

Not sure if you mean a decorative water fountain or a drinking water fountain but if you are looking for decorative ones here is a website that was just provided to me: http://www.waterfountainplace.com/solar-fountains.html

I have no idea about the details. 

Hello Chris,

If you are looking for decorative solar powered outdoor fountains, which usually do not serve to provide drinking water, there are many options:

1. Here is a list of commerically available products catering to the above definition.
2. Here is a guide to build/install a solar-powered water fountain.
3. Here is more information on how the solar powered water fountains works
4. Silicon Solar provides a range of products you can choose from

Solar-powered water purification systems are also available, or in research/development stages:

1. Solar Desalinization systems such as the WaterCone and SAL-MEH
2. Solar Disinfection, SODIS systems based on solar energy
3. Modified SODIS systems using titanium dioxide coating are in R&D stages (more) (TiO2 destroys pathogens in presence of solar UV radiation)
4. Solar energy based pumps are also being used to bring water from underground reservoirs to surface storage systems. (more)

This post may not directly cater to your specific request, but I hope some of the information proves helpful. Combinations of the methods used in the above devices could be potential research+implementation projects for students at your campus.

Best,

Vin

Interesting question Chris! 

Solar-powered drinking fountains seem to be very rare, but there is at least one in Arizona: http://www.solar-traffic-controls.com/ITN/ITN-Scottsdale11022009.php.  Unfortunately, it seems to have been demonstration project rather than something that you would be able to buy directly.  I suppose you could try contacting the company that is referenced in the article to see if they might be interested in setting up another demo project on AU's campus.

Best of luck,

Julian

Julian Dautremont-Smith
MBA/MS Candidate, Class of 2012
Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise
Stephen M. Ross School of Business | School of Natural Resources & Environment
University of Michigan