Use of Floating Solar Collectors in Processing Iceberg Water

Abstract

A floating tracking platform equipped with parabolic collectors concentrating sunlight on photovoltaic cells is described. The unique tracking system made possible by using a floating platform allows for the construction of inexpensive low-profile concentrating collectors. The concentrating collectors would focus concentrated sunlight on a bank of photovoltaic cells. These cells must be cooled for maximum efficiency. This type of collector, under development at the University of Arizona, could be floated next to a moored iceberg to provide waste heat for melting the ice This combination should improve the efficiency of the photovoltaic cells and reduce the costs of ice-to-water conversion. This coupled system would make it possible to provide both water and power to arid coastal areas.