Student Develops Solar Desalination in Brazil

Wanderley Silva, a doctoral student at the State University of Paraíba in Brazil, developed a solar-powered desalination technology to address water scarcity in the semi-arid region. Silva’s work stems from his personal experience growing up in a rural community where accessing water required arduous journeys. He began developing the technology in 2013 while studying Agroecology and later secured funding from the Federal Institute of Paraíba and bank grants to build over 125 desalination units.

The device uses solar energy to evaporate water, then condense it into potable water, removing salt and impurities. It costs roughly $300 to $500 per unit, making it more affordable than reverse osmosis systems which can cost over $5,000. Silva and other students now extend the project by training communities in Ceará and Pernambuco to build and maintain the systems themselves.

Despite its success, the project faces challenges, including increasing production costs and the need for ongoing maintenance. The National Water and Basic Sanitation Agency predicts challenging water management conditions for Brazil in 2026, particularly in the historically drought-prone Northeast. The work continues to expand access to water in a region facing chronic scarcity.