Solar Desalination in Conjunction with Controlled Environmental Agriculture in Arid Zones

There are many factors which favor the juxtaposition of a solar still to a controlled environment agriculture (CEA) greenhouse. A modular, easy on-site construction, low-cost solar still was designed and tested. Its annual average daily productivity and efficiency values were 2.35 l/m² and 30%, respectively. The feasibility of using the CEA greenhouse's hot brackish water reservoir as the still feedstock for enhanced nocturnal production was tested and found to enhance productivity significantly. A total lifecycle cost analysis of the solar still has shown it to be less economical by a factor of 1.25, relative to a small reverse osmosis unit for the CEA farm size considered, in the case of brackish water, whereas, in the case of sea water desalination, the solar still may be more economical.