A solar-powered village water supply system from brackish water

摘要

Research carried out by the Remote Area Developments Group (RADG) while working in remote Aboriginal communities in the late 1980's resulted in development with industry partner Venco Products of the 'Solarflow' - a solar-powered reverse osmosis desalination unit. This 'Solarflow' has now been integrated with a locally designed and manufactured solar water pumping system by Solar Energy Systems Pty Ltd (SES). Most of remote Aboriginal communities rely on groundwater for their potable water supplies, however, this is a source which is often highly mineralised and in excess of the recommended drinking water quality guidelines for long term human consumption. The self-contained, solar powered water supply system which provided 400 litres/day of high quality, desalinated drinking water. A system capable of meeting the requirements of larger communities of up to 150 people which can provide 1500 litre/day is currently in the prototype stage and under going performance monitoring before entering commercial production.