Impact of Booster Mirror and Cooling Fans on the Performance Improvement of a Double Slope Solar Desalinator with a Provision of Rainwater Harvesting
摘要
Solar desalination is a promising renewable energy method for producing freshwater, utilizing a solar still to evaporate and condense impure water into potable water. However, traditional solar stills are less efficient. This study enhances the performance of a solar still by integrating automatic cooling fans powered by a battery charged through a solar PV panel, creating a standalone system. Additionally, the setup incorporates a rainwater collection tray for use during rainy days. The section of the tray facing south acts as a booster mirror during the absence of rainfall. Peak water temperature reached 60 °C, with the highest yield recorded at 0.29 kg/m2 h on 12-10-2024. Energy efficiency peaked at 38% on sunny days, while on rainy days, the efficiency lies below 15%.