Converting seawater into drinking water on a large scale requires a huge amount of energy, making it an expensive and polluting process.
Now, a mixed financial manager based in the Netherlands, Climate Fund Managers (CFM), and the company Solar Water Solutions are working together to develop the installation of up to 200 desalination units in Kitui County, Kenya. The project aims to provide clean water from brackish groundwater to 400.000 Kenyans by 2023.
Zero emissions, zero chemicals
The new solar-powered desalination system works with no grid connection, no batteries or chemicals, ever. This means that the system will need no investment in batteries, zero running costs and zero carbon emissions.
SolarRO, a proprietary reverse osmosis system, is the first desalination plant in the world 100% solar powered. This fully automatic autonomous system is installed in a 6 meter (20 ft) long container. The system will convert from 3500 L/h up to 7000 L/h from sea water, with a total dissolved solids (TDS) 36.000 ppm. Production capacity is up to 10.000 liters per hour from brackish water, powered entirely by solar panels.
Solar desalination: a turning point for Kenya
“Through this partnership with Climate Fund Managers and Kitui County, we can revolutionize access to safe and affordable water in rural Kenya with solar desalination,” says Antti Pohjola, CEO of Solar Water Solutions.
This project marks a turning point in solar-powered water infrastructure. It wouldn't have happened without four key elements: sustainable technology that reduces the cost of clean water, access to financing with a leading institutional investor, local partners and a market-based business model.
Antti Pohjola
With their size and their peculiar characteristics, these solar desalination plants will be the ideal solution for the production of clean water even in remote islands and rural areas.
