Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Other Solar Energy Applications

Availability of drinking water is expected to be the biggest problem to face mankind over the next few decades. Even though there is an abundant water resource in the oceans, it must be desalinated before use. Solar energy can play a very important role in this application. Although simple solar desalination and distillation technology has been known for a long time, there has not been much research to improve the technology for large-scale use.

Other lesser known applications of solar energy include its environmental applications such as solar photocatalytic detoxification and disinfection. This application has been shown to clean contaminated ground water and industrial waste water. It can also be used to disinfect water for potable use.