Solar application in desalination: the Greek Islands experiment

Abstract Solar distillation plants are suitable to provide desalinated water to small communities in remote or arid regions where solar radiation abounds and large land areas may be available free of charge. Proper operation and maintenance are of importance and the plant's lifetime. In this paper the experience gained during construction and operation of the solar distillation plants erected in the Greek Island is described, including an analysis of the mistakes to be avoided. A short discussion is also given for solar-driven desalination plants as an example to help promotion of solar distillation and/or solar-driven desalination plants in the southern European countries.