Review on the energy and economic efficiencies of passive and active solar distillation systems

Water is one of the prime elements responsible for life on the Earth. The demand of potable water is growing continuously due to its rapid use in agriculture, industry, and population. To overcome the challenge of water shortage, it is essential to minimize the gap among the demand and supply of potable water by developing alternative technologies of water purification. It is becoming a challenge to avail of low cost potable water to mankind. Solar distillation is one of the most promising, simple, and economic methodology for salt and brackish water purification by utilizing solar energy (renewable energy source). Worldwide, various researchers experimentally analyzed the performance of different types of solar stills and numerous research works has also been performed to develop the theoretical models based on energy balances. In present paper, experimentally and theoretically detailed work done in recent past on passive and active solar stills has been highlighted. System performance; exergoeconomic and enviroeconomic analysis; different solar still designs; and recent techniques in solar stills have been discussed in detail. Furthermore, a discussion on future scope of the work on solar stills for sustainable potable water production is given with some recommendations.