Technological Advancement of Solar Thermal System Desalination Process – A Review

Abstract

Abstract Increase in demand for drinking water due to growth in world population and industrialization has lead route for innovating new technologies for purifying sea water. Desalination by conventional energy source increases the emission of greenhouse gases and leads to global warming. As a solution for pollution and water scarcity, solar desalination techniques are incorporated worldwide for converting brackish water into portable water using solar power. Solar power helps water purification via solar thermal systems and also using solar photovoltaic panels which provide electric supply. This review article consolidate the solar thermal energy based small, medium and large scale solar desalination plants for extracting pure water. The environmental benefits and the futuristic challenges of utilizing solar thermal system for purification of water is also highlighted.