Solar Energy Coupling Research Articles

Field Assessment of Vertical Bifacial Agrivoltaics with Vegetable Production: A Case Study in Lahore, Pakistan

Sustainable energy and food production face significant challenges due to the increasing population, land-use conflicts, and rapidly changing environmental conditions. Coupling solar energy and food production on the same land (Agrivoltaics; AV) could revolutionize the sustainable food-energy nexus and the land ecosystem. We explore a vertical AV system in Lahore using bifacial modules and vegetables, including okra, calabash, and potato, which is the 1st field assessment of AV in the semi-arid climate of Pakistan. Food-energy performance and microclimate were monitored across multiple seasons for the AV system having 10.5 kW nominal power capacity covering a land area of ∼85 m2. Results were compared with reference systems, including an adjacent full sun crop treatment and a nearby rooftop photovoltaic (PV) system of matched capacity installed at a standard south-tilted orientation. Crop rotation includes okra and calabash, which were grown in summer, and potato in the winter. The net biomass AV yield for okra and calabash was reduced by 15.97 % and 38.17 %, respectively, while potato yield increased by ∼8.7 % relative to the corresponding yield in the control treatment. The annual energy production for the vertical bifacial AV system was reduced by ∼25 % compared to the rooftop PV system, which is attributed mainly to the difference in their tilt and orientation. The microclimate measurements showed 26 % more soil moisture and 0.5 °C reduced air temperature for AV treatment relative to the control, demonstrating potential synergies between solar energy and crops. The soiling measurements at the AV and rooftop locations showed 1.9 % and 1.5 % daily energy loss due to the dust effect. These results indicate that AV systems offer sustainable solutions for the food-energy nexus to cater to the demands of the expanding cities.

Investigation into the hydrogen production performance of a novel 5-kW hybrid-system composed of a solar steam generator directly connected with conventional solid oxide electrolysis cells

Coupling solar energy with solid oxide electrolysis cell has the potential to reduce electricity consumption and improve energy conversion efficiency. This study introduces a pioneering 5 kW direct-connected hybrid system that couples a solar steam generator with solid oxide electrolysis cells utilizing conventional electrical energy for the electrolysis process. The successful demonstration of hydrogen production showcases promising results. When the solar irradiation power is 2.26 kW, the inlet water flow rate is 1.23 kg/h under operations at 700 °C, the hydrogen production efficiency of the system reaches 95.2 %, and the steam conversion ratio approaches 92 %, giving a cumulative hydrogen production yield of 5,840 NL in 6.3 h. The solid oxide electrolysis system is further tested under different operating conditions of the stack and solar irradiation. The experimental results show that a greater operating temperature is conducive to more efficient hydrogen production, while more water vapor at the cathode leads to a larger steam conversion ratio. The results indicate that increasing the irradiation power is beneficial to hydrogen production while decreasing the irradiation power will lead to fluctuations of hydrogen yield. In addition, the system efficiency (45.3 %) is higher than that of a photovoltaic alkaline water electrolysis (12.6 %) or photovoltaic proton exchange membrane electrolysis (14.76 %) system at the same irradiation power. Under the same electrolysis power and cathode inlet temperature, the total power consumption of a traditional solid oxide electrolysis system is significantly greater than that of the proposed hybrid system. The comparison shows that the saved electricity of the proposed hybrid system can account for about 30 %. Therefore, the proposed hybrid system has significant efficiency and power savings advantages.

Evaluation of Biogas and Solar Energy Coupling on Phase-Change Energy-Storage Heating Systems: Optimization of Supply and Demand Coordination

Biogas heating plays a crucial role in the transition to clean energy and the mitigation of agricultural pollution. To address the issue of low biogas production during winter, the implementation of a multi-energy complementary system has become essential for ensuring heating stability. To guarantee the economy, stability, and energy-saving operation of the heating system, this study proposes coupling biogas and solar energy with a phase-change energy-storage heating system. The mathematical model of the heating system was developed, taking an office building in Xilin Hot, Inner Mongolia (43.96000° N, 116.03000° E) as a case study. Additionally, the Sparrow Search Algorithm (SSA) was employed to determine equipment selection and optimize the dynamic operation strategy, considering the minimum cost and the balance between the supply and demand of the building load. The operating economy was evaluated using metrics such as payback period, load ratio, and daily rate of return. The results demonstrate that the multi-energy complementary heating system, with a balanced supply and demand, yields significant economic benefits compared to the central heating system, with a payback period of 4.15 years and a daily return rate of 32.97% under the most unfavorable working conditions. Moreover, the development of a daily optimization strategy holds practical engineering significance, and the optimal scheduling of the multi-energy complementary system, with a balance of supply and demand, is realized.

Efficient Solar-osmotic Power Generation from Bioinspired Anti-fouling 2D WS2 Composite Membranes.

Nanofluidic reverse electrodialysis provides an attractive way to harvest osmotic energy. However, most attention was paid to monotonous membrane structure optimization to promote selective ion transport, while the role of external fields and relevant mechanisms are rarely explored. Here, we demonstrate a Kevlar-toughened tungsten disulfide (WS2) composite membrane with bioinspired serosa-mimetic structures as an efficient osmotic energy generator coupling light. As a result, the output power could be up to 16.43 W m-2under irradiation, outperforming traditional two-dimensional (2D) membranes. Both the experiment and simulation uncover that the generated photothermal and photoelectronic effects could synergistically promote the confined ion transport process. In addition, this membrane also possesses great anti-fouling properties, endowing its practical application. This work paves new avenues for sustainable power generation by coupling solar energy.

Efficient Solar‐osmotic Power Generation from Bioinspired Anti‐fouling 2D WS2 Composite Membranes

AbstractNanofluidic reverse electrodialysis provides an attractive way to harvest osmotic energy. However, most attention was paid to monotonous membrane structure optimization to promote selective ion transport, while the role of external fields and relevant mechanisms are rarely explored. Here, we demonstrate a Kevlar‐toughened tungsten disulfide (WS2) composite membrane with bioinspired serosa‐mimetic structures as an efficient osmotic energy generator coupling light. As a result, the output power could be up to 16.43 W m−2 under irradiation, outperforming traditional two‐dimensional (2D) membranes. Both the experiment and simulation uncover that the generated photothermal and photoelectronic effects could synergistically promote the confined ion transport process. In addition, this membrane also possesses great anti‐fouling properties, endowing its practical application. This work paves new avenues for sustainable power generation by coupling solar energy.

Active Site Engineering on Plasmonic Nanostructures for Efficient Photocatalysis.

Plasmonic nanostructures have shown immense potential in photocatalysis because of their distinct photochemical properties associated with tunable photoresponses and strong light-matter interactions. The introduction of highly active sites is essential to fully exploit the potential of plasmonic nanostructures in photocatalysis, considering the inferior intrinsic activities of typical plasmonic metals. This review focuses on active site-engineered plasmonic nanostructures with enhanced photocatalytic performance, wherein the active sites are classified into four types (i.e., metallic sites, defect sites, ligand-grafted sites, and interface sites). The synergy between active sites and plasmonic nanostructures in photocatalysis is discussed in detail after briefly introducing the material synthesis and characterization methods. Active sites can promote the coupling of solar energy harvested by plasmonic metal to catalytic reactions in the form of local electromagnetic fields, hot carriers, and photothermal heating. Moreover, efficient energy coupling potentially regulates the reaction pathway by facilitating the excited state formation of reactants, changing the status of active sites, and creating additional active sites using photoexcited plasmonic metals. Afterward, the application of active site-engineered plasmonic nanostructures in emerging photocatalytic reactions is summarized. Finally, a summary and perspective of the existing challenges and future opportunities are presented. This review aims to deliver some insights into plasmonic photocatalysis from the perspective of active sites, expediting the discovery of high-performance plasmonic photocatalysts.

Numerical and experimental study on the performance of a thermal energy storage in a solar building

Building can provide a comfortable indoor environment with a huge energy consumption. Utilization of solar energy coupling with thermal energy storage is the key topic in the energy-saving of the building. The latent heat storage technology with phase change materials is a promising means to improve the utilization of renewable energy. Nevertheless, its broad application will be limited due to the low thermal conductivity of material. This paper focused on the heat transfer performance of a phase change material for a thermal energy storage building. The main contributions are as: an experiment system of thermal energy storage has been designed, the mathematical model of the numerical calculation has been established and verified, and the effect of operating conditions for multi-parameters on the melting process of the phase change material has been studied. Paraffin is used as phase change material and water as heat transfer fluid. The melting behavior of PCM stored in the outer tube and the inner shell region has been studied when heated water passes through the inner tube. The results show that the melting performance of PCM is the best for the inclination angle of 30°. The inlet water temperature has an obvious influence on melting property. The melting times are 775 min, 690 min, 620 min, 565 min and 515 min, respectively, for five different inlet water temperatures. The inlet flow rate has a weak influence on melting time. The research results can provide reference for pipeline design and heat storage efficiency of latent heat storage system in the future.

A novel liquefied air energy storage system with solar energy and coupled Rankine cycle and seawater desalination

To improve the round-trip efficiency of liquefied air energy storage (LAES) system by energy cascade utilization, a novel LAES system with solar energy and coupled Rankine cycle and seawater desalination is proposed. The thermodynamic model of the coupled system is established, and the technical advantages of the coupled system are investigated in four aspects: system energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, round-trip efficiency, and desalination. The results show that the highest system energy efficiency and exergy efficiency are 33.57 % and 44.34 %, respectively. When the system is coupled to Rankine cycle, the maximum system energy efficiency can be improved by 6.01 %, and the maximum system exergy efficiency can be improved by 9.24 %. The round-trip efficiency of the system can reach up to 132.20 %, which is 26.87 % higher than the LAES system with only solar collector panels. Furthermore, the system can produce up to 7079.51 kg of fresh water per hour and achieve a maximum water production ratio of 6.61. The coupling of solar energy, Rankine cycle and desalination can not only improve the efficiency of LAES, but also provide a new idea for the promotion and application of LAES.

Performance analysis of a novel mode using solar energy to recycle and reuse water vapor from flue gas of coal-fired power station

Coal-fired power stations need to use massive quantities of coal and discharge substantial amounts of pollutants every year. Coupling solar energy with traditional coal-fired power stations can solve these problems. Most studies focus on using solar energy to heat boiler inlets, feedwater and high-temperature steam. However, areas with more solar energy are often water-deficient areas and saving water resources is particularly important. In this study, a 600 MWe coal-fired power station and solar energy are combined into a solar-aided coal-fired power generation (SACPG) system. Five SACPG systems are studied. There are parallel steam heating, reheating, double reheating, heating feedwater before pump and recycle and reuse water vapor from flue gas. For the first time propose using solar energy to recycle and reuse water vapor from the flue gas of coal-fired power stations in power-boosting (PB) and fuel-saving (FS) modes to analyze its thermal characteristics, exergy characteristics and energy savings. The research shows that feedwater recycle mode has the largest total thermal efficiency, which is 42.47 % and boiler thermal efficiency of 95.02 %. Three operation modes of saving water scheme including feedwater recovery, reheat steam recovery and FS mode are considered in this paper. Among three modes, FS has the smallest exergy loss of all parts, except fans. The FS mode coal saving rate is 10.79 g/kWh and the water saving rate is 3.87 × 105 t per year. The PB mode water saving rate is 4.04 × 105 t per year. Feedwater recycling output is larger than that of reheated steam recycling. The mode with the highest total thermal efficiency, largest solar field exergy efficiency and coal saving rate is using solar energy to heat feedwater parts and parallel steam generation employing thermal solar energy, which are 42.76 %, 27.70 % and 15.53 g/kWh, respectively. Using thermal solar energy to heat feedwater prior to the feedwater pump offers the highest boiler thermal efficiency (94.44 %) and the lowest exergy loss of all parts except fans. Using solar energy to heat high-temperature parts, the reheated steam mode has the largest boiler thermal efficiency, total thermal efficiency and solar field exergy efficiency, which are 94.16 %, 43.68 % and 33.61 % respectively and the smallest exergy loss of all parts, except fans. Meanwhile, the double reheated steam mode has the largest coal saving rate, which is 9.60 g/kWh.

Visualizing Experimental Study of the Effect of Inclination Angle on the Melting Performance for an Energy Storage Tank

Solar energy coupling with energy storage is a popular technology in the energy field. How to achieve the high-efficiency application of solar energy is very important. Energy storage technology is the key issue in this aspect. Latent heat storage is a more efficient energy storage. In this paper, a visualization experimental platform of a latent heat storage system has been designed, and some performance data have been obtained. Hot water has been used as the heat transfer fluid, and paraffin wax has been used as the phase change material. The inclination angle of the tank is varied from the horizontal direction (0°) to the vertical direction (90°) by a step of 30°. The melting performance has been studied for three cases with inlet water temperature of 356 K, 361 K, and 366 K. The result shows that the inclination angle of the tank has a great influence on the melting process of the phase change material, and the temperature distribution of the material is obviously different. The result also shows that the testing point temperature (for testing point 1) varied from 341.31 K to 342.18 K when the inclination angle was 30° and 90°, respectively. However, the temperature of testing point 4 varied from 321.76 K to 335.03 K when the inclination angle was 30° and 90°, respectively. The results of this paper can provide a reference for the future pipe design and storage efficiency of latent heat storage systems.

Analysis of coupling characteristics between solar energy and compressor extraction energy storage gas turbine CHP system

The regulation of compressor extraction and energy storage can improve the performance of gas turbine energy system. In order to make the gas turbine system match the external load more flexibly and efficiently, a gas turbine cogeneration system with solar energy coupling compressor outlet extraction and energy storage is proposed. By establishing the variable condition mathematical model of air turbine, waste heat boiler and solar collector, we use Thermoflex software to establish the variable condition model of gas turbine compressor outlet extraction, and analyze the variable condition of the coupling system to study the changes of thermal parameters of the system in the energy storage, energy release and operation cycle. Taking the hourly load of a hotel in South China as an example, this paper analyzes the case of the cogeneration system of solar energy coupling compressor outlet extraction and energy storage, and compares it with the benchmark cogeneration system. The results show that taking a typical day as a cycle, the primary energy utilization rate of the system designed in this paper is 3.2% higher than that of the traditional cogeneration system, and the efficiency is 2.4% higher.

Solar-assisted biomass chemical looping gasification in an indirect coupling: Principle and application

A new configuration of solar-assisted biomass chemical looping gasification (CLG), in which solar heat is indirectly absorbed and stored in the form of sensible heat in solid particles (oxygen carrier and support material), was developed (i.e., indirect coupling). A steam Rankine cycle was integrated to further recuperate the thermal energy of the high-temperature solid particles at the outlet of the steam reactor. Compared with the direct solar energy utilization approach, the proposed configuration can circumvent the fluctuating working conditions of the CLG and downstream processes. Additionally, since the solar receiver and reactor are uncoupled, efficient thermal integration of the developed system is relatively easy to achieve. Thermodynamic analysis of the proposed configuration was conducted, and the indirect coupling of solar energy with CLG was investigated. A case study of methanol synthesis was conducted to compare the annual output of the proposed configuration with that of an auto-thermal CLG. Results indicate that the energy and exergy efficiencies of the present configuration were 66.16% and 77.68%, respectively. The optimal solar multiple was 2.8, which corresponds to the thermal energy storage and designed heliostat size of 10 h and 110.74 × 103 m2, respectively. The case study shows that the present configuration-based methanol synthesis route produced more methanol and electricity but emitted less carbon than the auto-thermal CLG-based method.

Performance and economic evaluation of a solar-air hybrid source energy heating system installed in cold region of China

This paper proposes a solar-air source energy storage heating system (SASES-HS), which can solve the problems of high energy consumption and difficult defrosting when the ambient temperature is low. By coupling solar energy,air energy and phase change energy, the system heats the end of the user through a two-stage heat pump. In order to analyze the feasibility of the system, the mathematical model of the system is established, and an experimental platform is built. A typical experimental condition was chosen to analyze the performance of the system in detail. The results show that the system can continuously provide high-temperature hot water of nearly 60°C for buildings in a severe cold environment of −20°C for 24 h, and the heat exchange temperature difference is as high as 80°C. In addition, the system operates with a higher coefficient of performance than a single-stage heat pump system. The COP can reach the level of 4.1 during the day and as low as 2.5 at night. The operating cost of the system only accounts for 65.8% and 88.4% of the coal-fired boiler and the air source phase change heat pump, respectively. And the CO2 emissions of this system only account for 57.5% and 88.4% of the coal-fired boiler and the air source phase change heat pump, respectively. In view of the analysis of operational performance and economic and environmental benefits, it is found that the system is worth popularizing and using in the northern cold regions.

The balance of contradictory factors in the selection of biodiesel and jet biofuels on algae fixation of flue gas

The purpose would discover the impacts of the contradictory factors in application of algae in CO2 sequestration with sustainable biofuel benefit. Based on LCA approach, the quantitively AI assessment model and approach have been established coupling upstream CO2 source and downstream algal product at the uniform algae level of Nannochloropsis oceanica, which would benefit for algae biofuel deliverables choice. The AI model investigated the effects of interaction factors on the energy consumption, including transportation distances with purification modes coupling with CO2 concentration in flue gas, lipid content with specific productivity coupling the nutrient supply, refining process with final products. Computational framework of AI model is classified into three sub-models, including CO2 capture and purification model, algae cultivation and harvesting model, refining process and biofuel product model. According to uncertainty analysis by AI model, the positive energy gains have been conducted at a wide range of lipid contents despite of jet biofuel or biodiesel coupling solar energy utilization and by-product of bioactive nutrients effects. Biodieselwet and HTL-HRJ jet biofuel performed the priorities in energy consumption in three pathways of jet biofuel and three pathways of biodiesels. The allocation analysis confirmed that algae biofuel will be promising in the direction of cultivating appropriate algae for the target biofuel product requirement and enhancing by-product recovery. The results would enhance the interests in both LCA and CO2 sequestration with sustainable biofuel benefit.

Solar‐Driven Artificial Carbon Cycle

Comprehensive SummaryConstituting the artificial carbon cycle, for example, through recycling CO2 and converting CH4 to value‐added fuels and chemicals with solar energy, offers a sustainable future for humankind to tackle the global environmental issues and energy crisis. However, significant bottlenecks remain in such photocatalytic conversion, mainly related to the reaction activity and product selectivity. Herein, we share our efforts and systematic research progress on addressing the double bottlenecks for achieving solar‐driven artificial carbon cycle, with specifically focusing on the photocatalytic CO2 and CH4 conversion. We further elucidate the common fundamentals behind various designed photocatalytic materials systems. Toward future development, we highlight the opportunities and challenges in the research field. What is the most favorite and original chemistry developed in your research group?Selective catalytic conversion of C1 molecules by coupling solar energy.How do you get into this specific field? Could you please share some experiences with our readers?Originating from my undergraduate training, I was very interested in the controllable cleavage and formation of chemical bonds in physical world. However, the interest was just limited to the level of curiosity at that time, while this research topic seemed so sophisticated to me. Started from my graduate study, I explored the physical world with a specific focus on inorganic materials, ranging from materials synthesis to photoelectrical properties. After my postdoctoral training, I became capable of investigating the coupling of small molecules with solar energy by leveraging inorganic materials. As such, when I started my independent career, I decided to pursue my research interests in selective catalytic conversion of molecules by coupling solar energy. C1 molecules such as carbon dioxide and methane are the critical molecules to carbon cycle, which hold the key to carbon neutrality from the present viewpoint. Naturally, I focus my research on the selective conversion of C1 molecules,toward which catalytic materials are rationally designed to couple solar energy into their controllable bond breakage and formation.How do you supervise your students?When I supervise my students, I play the dual roles as mentor and coach. I mentor them to learn the key skills for research, build critical thinking, and enhance their scientific writing and communication capabilities. In the meantime, I also coach them how to design research projects, acquire a big picture for their research, and perform multidisciplinary research in collaboration with others.What is the most important personality for scientific research?Curiosity, which is the driving force to gather our enthusiasm, spirit and creativity toward scientific research with persistence.What are your hobbies?Swimming.If you have anything else to tell our readers, please feel free to do so.As a scientist, please follow your heart to identify the research interests behind curiosity as well as keep your spirit to explore the research interests.

Solar-energy-driven conversion of oxygen-bearing low-concentration coal mine methane into methanol on full-spectrum-responsive WO3−x catalysts

Sunlight-driven photocatalysis is regarded as a promising strategy for direct conversion of methane in low concentration coal mine methane (LC-CMM) to value-added methanol, yet remains a grand challenge to efficiently activate and convert methane. Herein, WO3−x nanosheets with gradient concentration of oxygen vacancy were synthesized and firstly served as full-spectrum responsive catalysts for transformation of LC-CMM to methanol at ambient conditions. Defect-rich WO3−x-N2.0 shows a methanol yield of 1475 μmol·g−1, roughly 4.5 times higher than WO3-A2.0 under simulated solar light irradiation. The selectivity of CH3OH on the optimal WO3−x-N2.0 is up to 76%. More importantly, WO3−x-N2.0 exhibits a methanol yield of 396 μmol·g−1 with the selectivity of 82% even under near infrared light irradiation while almost no CH3OH is detected over WO3-A2.0. Based on the results of energy-band structure, photoelectrochemical characterization, PLs and EPR tests, the significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance over WO3−x-N2.0 is ascribed to the synergistic effect caused by the formation of oxygen vacancies, including extending light absorption into NIR region, improving separation of photoinduced electron-hole pairs and boosting production of hydroxyl radicals (key active species that drive CH3OH production). This work will offer a sustainable pathway to broaden the utilization of LC-CMM via efficient coupling of solar energy.

Can Solar Energy Fuel Pollinator Conservation?

As the expansion of solar power spreads through much of the United States, members of the solar industry are working to change how solar energy facilities are designed and presented to the public. This includes the addition of habitat to conserve pollinators. We highlight and discuss ongoing efforts to couple solar energy production with pollinator conservation, noting recent legal definitions of these practices. We summarize key studies from the field of ecology, bee conservation, and our experience working with members of the solar industry (e.g., contribution to legislation defining solar pollinator habitat). Several recently published studies that employed similar practices to those proposed for solar developments reveal features that should be replicated and encouraged by the industry. These results suggest the addition of native, perennial flowering vegetation will promote wild bee conservation and more sustainable honey beekeeping. Going forward, there is a need for oversight and future research to avoid the misapplication of this promising but as of yet untested practice of coupling solar energy production with pollinator-friendly habitat. We conclude with best practices for the implementation of these additions to realize conservation and agricultural benefits.

Magnetic‐Field‐Stimulated Efficient Photocatalytic N2 Fixation over Defective BaTiO3 Perovskites

Efficient coupling solar energy conversion and N2 fixation by photocatalysis has been shown promising potentials. However, the unsatisfied yield rate of NH3 curbs its forward application. Herein, defective typical perovskite, BaTiO3 , shows remarkable activity under an applied magnetic field for photocatalytic N2 fixation with the NH3 yield rate exceeding 1.90mg/L/h. Through steered surface spin states and oxygen vacancies, the electromagnetic synergistic effect between the internal electric field and an external magnetic field is stimulated. X-ray absorption structure (XAS) spectrum and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal the regulation of electronic and magnetic properties through manipulations of oxygen vacancies and inducements of Lorentz force and spin selectivity effect. The electromagnetic synergistic effect suppresses the recombination of photoexcited carriers in semiconducting nanomaterials, which acts synergistically to promote N2 adsorption and activation while facilitating fast charge separation under UV-vis irradiation. Therefore, this work offers a promising alternative route for exploring high-photocatalytic-property N2 fixation materials and shed light on stimulating the development of synergistic effect in photocatalysts.

Magnetic‐Field‐Stimulated Efficient Photocatalytic N2 Fixation over Defective BaTiO3 Perovskites

AbstractEfficient coupling solar energy conversion and N2 fixation by photocatalysis has been shown promising potentials. However, the unsatisfied yield rate of NH3 curbs its forward application. Defective typical perovskite, BaTiO3, shows remarkable activity under an applied magnetic field for photocatalytic N2 fixation with an NH3 yield rate exceeding 1.93 mg L−1 h−1. Through steered surface spin states and oxygen vacancies, the electromagnetic synergistic effect between the internal electric field and an external magnetic field is stimulated. X‐ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations reveal the regulation of electronic and magnetic properties through manipulation of oxygen vacancies and inducement of Lorentz force and spin selectivity effect. The electromagnetic effect suppresses the recombination of photoexcited carriers in semiconducting nanomaterials, which acts synergistically to promote N2 adsorption and activation while facilitating fast charge separation under UV‐vis irradiation.

Techno-economic assessment of solar energy coupling with large-scale desalination plant: The case of Morocco

This paper examines the cost competitiveness of an extra-large-scale (275,000 m3/d) solar-powered desalination, taking as a case study the Chtouka Ait Baha plant in Morocco. It assesses the conditions at which solar Photovoltaics (PV) and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) would be competitive with a grid (mainly fossil) driven desalination plant for the reference year and by 2030. The paper considers also a scenario where battery storage complements PV power generation. To conduct the analysis, a simple model of water cost calculation is built. Second, the cost related to energy consumption is calculated for different power supply options to evaluate the impact of energy provision cost on the final cost of water. The first main result of this paper is that desalinated water can be obtained at an acceptable cost of around 1 $/m3. The second one is that PV without storage remains the cheapest power supply option today and by 2030. Storage based solution appears less competitive today but can be more attractive in a framework of increasing electricity grid prices and higher flexibility requirements in the future. The paper gives recommendations regarding the implication of different technology choices in the framework of the future Moroccan energy system.