Solar Pond Applications

Combined with solar energy collection and heat storage, solar pond systems offer sustainable local solutions. These systems can easily be used to store low-temperature thermal energy for a long period of time. Solar ponds are not new and don't require cutting-edge technologies in order to harvest and utilize solar energy. It is important to build solar ponds that have simple, yet solid engineering structures which can be used for various applications, including heating, power generation, desalinating water, drying crops, heating greenhouses, salt production, aquaculture, etc. Although solar pond systems are not new technologies for collecting and storing solar energy for later use when needed, they now appear to be sustainable local solutions to cover the community needs. This chapter presents some historical perspectives on solar ponds and their utilization in various applications. Then, practically implemented solar pond applications are discussed along with their outputs and capacities.