A comparative study on 3E (energy, exergy and economic) analysis of solar PV operated dome-shaped solar stills

Abstract

The present investigation centers on the empirical examination of a solar photo-voltaic system that is integrated with a dome-shaped solar still in order to facili-tate the process of desalination. The objective is to increase the production of freshwater through the utilization of saline water at elevated temperatures. The assessment of the dome-shaped solar still system's efficacy is conducted through the examination of various parameters, including water yield, energy, exergy, concentrator performance, and economic feasibility. The study's results demon-strate that the dome-shaped solar still system's water yield, energy, and exergy were evaluated under varying inlet temperatures and mass flow rates. The study recorded the water yield, energy, and exergy at 4.73, 4.27, and 4.91 L per m?, re-spectively, with respect to the ambient inlet temperature. The water yield was ob-served to range from 6.9-7.7 L per m2 under different input temperatures and air mass-flow rates. The dome-shaped solar still system's energy and exergy efficien-cy were evaluated, indicating encouraging results for various inlet air tempera-tures. Furthermore, the economic evaluation revealed that the rate of freshwater production was cost-effective in comparison to conventional solar stills. In sum-mary, this research offers empirical proof of the efficacy of a solar photovoltaic -powered dome-shaped solar still for the purpose of desalination. It emphasizes enhancements in the output of fresh water, energy and exergy efficiency, and the economic viability of this technology.