Largest research farm in Botswana
About
Overview
Location
Gaborone, Botswana
Type
Solar-PV powered desalination
Capacity
58,000 GPD
Product quality
Irrigation water
Distribution
Local
Technology type
Reverse osmosis
Land footprint:
Output:
Solar energy and fresh water
Facilities
3
Project description
In collaboration with MarketVest and Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Boreal Light GmbH has installed an advanced solar water desalination system at Botswana's largest research farm. This system treats heavily polluted sewage water, converting it into 220 cubic meters of safe irrigation water daily. It addresses high levels of heavy metals, minerals, and dense algae, providing quality irrigation water for a 400-hectare farm.
How we reuse water
Groundwater wells located near the ocean often encounter saltwater intrusion as they pump more and more water. As a result, water that was once fresh can become salty and undrinkable over time and require treatment. Because desalination requires significant electricity to run high pressure pumps, solar energy is an ideal way to generate ‘off-grid’ energy that is both reliable and cost effective for desalination. This allows groundwater that would otherwise be unuseable to become a reliable source of additional water.