DC/DC converter applied in the photovoltaic-inclined thermal collector hybrid systems for brackish water desalination

A chronic drinking water shortage is one of the most important issues in the developing countries, and drinking water from dirty water sources causes serious damage to inhabitants health in some remote areas. The solar distillation remains the most favorable process for the supplying of water to small communities. Base on the traditional solar still, an improved hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) desalination system is presented. The PV modules that are combined with thermal units, constitute the PVT systems which has longer operating time and higher average fresh water production. This paper introduces the DC/DC converter applied in this type of systems, including its structure and control strategy which is suitable for PV array and driving supportive heater. The experimental results for the converter and the whole system are showed and analyzed.