Feasibility Study of Stand-Alone Solar PV Powered Desalination Plant at Yarada, Visakhapatnam

Rapid urbanization in India has caused a strain on the government's ability to provide solutions for water scarcity. India is a significant grain producer but also has a high demand for water due to the industries that have emerged from the “Make in India” initiative. To address the water crisis, the government has promoted awareness of water conservation, rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment, and the maintenance of taps. Desalination, which removes salt from seawater, could also be a viable solution to freshwater issues. India has a long coastline, and desalination plants could be built along it to provide a source of freshwater. The article aims to investigate the feasibility of building a solar PV-powered desalination plant at Yarada, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, and to understand the financial and technical requirements for establishing such a plant. The study considers different ratings for both desalination plants and solar PV modules available in the Indian market and uses life cycle cost calculations and payback period analysis to evaluate the financial requirements for installing the plant.