Off-grid solar electric systems can also be used to provide drinking water by:
- Water purification
- Water desalination
A very wide range of products of different sizes is available. Many companies supply bespoke solutions for water purification and desalination, especially for smaller applications.
PV-powered UV water purification system. Water is passed through a pipe where it is exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Power for the pump and the UV generator is provided by the PV modules. This can be either stand-alone or integrated into a larger PV system.
PV-powered desalination plant using reverse osmosis (RO) semi-permeable membranes to purify salt water. Power for the pumps is provided by the PV modules. Another similar method is membrane distillation (MD).
Water quality can also be assured by PV-powered monitoring systems. These generally require very little power and are ideal for locations away from the electric grid.
Solar thermal alternatives are also available for water purification and desalination. These use the heat from the sun as a power source.