Solar- Powered Reverse Osmosis Technology for Brackish Water : The State of The Art

Water and energy are two of the most important factors for the development of any country. With increase in both population and industrialization, it’s a challenge to produce ample freshwater with minimum energy cost. There are many places in the world that are turning into arid area due to water scarcity. Reverse osmosis desalination technology seem to be the best possible solution to this problem. With fossil fuel sources exhausting, renewable energy is most suitable to power RO for remote off-grid area. Solar powered– RO technology is applicable to area with ample solar resources. Many researches have been done for years to improve the PVRO system. Over the years this system has gone through many changes. For instance, batteries were taken down and direct connections were made between the PV panels and the pressure variable pump, turbines or hydraulic pumps were installed for energy recovery, etc. In this paper, a comprehensive review has been done on PVRO systems, its developments and water production cost in recent years.