# The Synergy of Renewable Energy and Desalination:
## 3 Application of Renewable Energy Sources in Desalination
### Solar Energy  
Systems for solar energy are essentially designed to capture energy both directly and indirectly. The basic direct technique for solar stills uses evaporation and condensation to desalinate saltwater water using sun energy. Thermal solar energy can be directly used for the distillation. Distillation desalination technology is the most developed of the current desalination systems, offering a broad range of uses and great safety. Thus, using solar thermal energy to heat seawater instead of more conventional energy sources is a potential approach. At the moment, solar thermal MED and solar thermal MFS are the most effective uses. In [44], the authors demonstrated that a relatively small area of a solar collector was sufficient to produce more than 0.5 cubic meters of potable water per day using brackish water with a low salt concentration. A desalination system that is completely powered by solar energy and is energy-independent was presented by the authors of [45]. Using parabolic trough collectors, which have an effective aperture area of approximately 1.5 square meters and a concentration ratio of almost 150 suns, sunlight is captured. The radiation is then converted to heat and electricity by a concentrator photovoltaic thermal (CPV-T) hybrid absorber. The multi-effect distillation (MED) facility is powered by this co-generated energy. This idea also makes use of the synergistic effects of optical components, such as mirrors, which lowers the cost of solar cogeneration in comparison to the current state of the art while simultaneously raising overall efficiency to about 75 percent (which consists of an associated thermal efficiency and a power efficiency of 26.8 percent). An extensive review of the available solar technologies is provided in [46]. The author focuses on refining  
Figure 3: Application of RES for desalination processes. efficiency metrics and addressing life-cycle costs as well as water-splitting techniques for hydrogen production. In [47], the authors proposed the creation of nanostructures that are essential to improving light absorption in the upper layers of solar cells. The black silicon process was used to generate these nanostructures, resulting in a layer known as \"black silicon\". The coating increased the stability of crystalline solar cells, in addition to their efficiency, in the 400-700 nm spectral range. In [48], the authors propose an improved parabolic system for solar thermal desalination. Because of its affordability and sustainability, the system is a good option for desalinating water in places where freshwater supplies are scarce. It uses very little energy and converts seawater to freshwater at a fast pace. With a median efficiency of approximately 81%, along with improved efficiency ratings which vary from 78 percent to 82 percent, the results show that the system makes good use of solar energy. In areas with limited water supplies, this technology provides a practical way to meet the rising demand for freshwater. Silicon solar cells, which are specifically made to convert solar into electrical energy, make up photovoltaic systems. The primary components of the PV system are the energy storage system, charge controller, inverter, and PV arrays. Charge controllers are critical for regulating voltage and current, ensuring safe charging, preventing overcharging, and optimizing energy storage efficiency, which are the key considerations for system longevity and performance. In order to constantly track the sun and ensure that the cell is the focus point, a computerized sun tracker is a crucial component of photovoltaic systems. Sun trackers are not common components, especially in standard installations of a PV system, because industry practices prioritize cost-effective, fixed-tilt systems with optimal tilt angles and strategic placement to maximize energy yield. The primary benefit of PV is its extended operating time and ease of construction. Photovoltaic energy can be used to operate high-pressure pumps for membrane-based desalination.