ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses solar energy technologies used in water supply and treatment systems. Solar energy is an abundant yet diverse resource that can be and has been used in safe drinking water supply systems. Conservation and energy efficiency must be implemented first when considering a solar-based technology. Improving energy efficiency of a water treatment system will reduce the operation costs and may even reduce the capital costs of a solar or wind-powered system. The central treatment plant can include both standard treatment technologies and solar technologies. Generally, flat-plate solar thermal systems provide low-grade process heat. Several groups have converted or proposed converting low-grade thermal energy into mechanical motion for water pumping. Solar energy is absorbed by a flat-plate collector that evaporates a working fluid. With solar and wind “direct” water pumping systems, the energy is stored as pumped water instead of electrochemically.
