Study of a hybrid photovoltaic-photochemical technology for meeting the needs of safe drinking water and electricity in developing countries: First field trial in rural Mexico. (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pichel, N.; Vivar, M.; Fuentes, M.; Eugenio-Cruz, K.
• Is Part Of: Journal of water process engineering. Volume 33(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: SolWat -- Field case study -- Photovoltaic -- Drinking water -- SODIS; Water-supply engineering -- Periodicals; Saline water conversion -- Periodicals; Seawater -- Distillation -- Periodicals; Sanitary engineering -- Periodicals; Sewage -- Purification -- Periodicals; 627
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2019.101056
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-7144

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Off-grid PV systems and SODIS are promising options to develop rural electrification and to improve drinking water access. SolWat comprises a water disinfection reactor and a PV module fully integrated into a single unit. SolWat was tested for the first time on field on the basis of natural climatic conditions and available water sources. After 3 h of sun exposure faecal indicators achieved complete inactivation. It was demonstrated the feasibility of the SolWat technology to be applied in developing countries. Abstract: Developing countries have vast areas and large population groups where access to electricity and safe drinking water is still limited or inexistent. In Mexico, 1.1 million people do not have access to electricity, while more than 3 million people lack access to clean water. However, Mexico presents one of the best locations to exploit solar sources. Therefore, off-grid photovoltaic (PV) systems and solar water disinfection (SODIS) are two promising options to develop rural electrification and to improve the coverage of drinking water access. In this regard, the technology proposed consists of a hybrid photovoltaic and solar disinfection system (SolWat) that comprises a photovoltaic module and a water disinfection reactor fully integrated into a single unit. Its effectiveness was tested for the first time in a rural community of Oaxaca (Mexico), on the basis of natural climatic conditions and available drinking water sources. Main results showed that despite the meteorological conditions were not the most favourable, the strong solar irradiation conditions of Mexico allowed complete inactivation of E. coli and total coliforms after 3 h of sun exposure. Furthermore, although the SolWat PV module presented a decrease in ISC, the refrigeration effect of the water being purified on top of the PV cells compensated this loss. In conclusion, the present work confirms the feasibility of the SolWat system to contribute to mitigate the lack of access to safe drinking water and energy in developing countries, since under real operation conditions it was able to simultaneously produce clean water and electricity.