Design and simulation of a novel solar photovoltaic system assisted single-slope solar still distillation unit

Water is an essential component of our lives. Conventional seawater desalination, based on fossil fuel energy, is primary in meeting freshwater demands. Thus, solar desalination still emerged as an alternative technology that employs environmentally friendly renewable energy. Here, we aim to design and simulate a novel hybrid solar photovoltaic (PV) system coupled with a single-slope solar still unit for freshwater production. Various design techniques were utilized to fine-tune the model towards producing 3-4.6 kg/m(2) center dot day of distillate water, thereby calculating the design aspects such as tank size, energy, and cost. The results revealed that a conventional solar desalination system had 22% lower efficiency than the proposed novel still distillation unit assisted with a solar PV system (connected to a heating element). The maximum efficiency of 45% has been recorded at the peak solar insolation due to the combination of the solar PV system. According to our design constraints, only a 3 m(2) basin area was required to achieve a productivity of Pst = 1-5 kg/day. Design analysis showed that the total capital cost of a conventional still can be significantly reduced from 2600 to 1500 $/unit with PV system integration at the specified productivity and optimal solar radiation of similar to 17 MJ/m(2) center dot day at peak time (02.00 PM). This work paves the way towards maximizing solar energy utilization from PV integration with solar desalination to achieve high freshwater productivity in single-basin solar still systems.

Automated summary

This study aims to design and simulate a novel hybrid solar photovoltaic (PV) system combined with a single-slope solar still unit for freshwater production. Various design techniques were used to optimize the model for the production of 3-4.6 kg/m(2) of distilled water, and to calculate design aspects such as tank size, energy, and cost. The results showed that the proposed novel still distillation unit assisted with a solar PV system had 22% higher efficiency than a conventional solar desalination system.