New Solar Panel Technology: Solar/Desalination

[sww914]

I haven't heard of this before, sounds like it could be great in 40 years when we get to see it.

"Pumping water through micro-channels on the surface of a solar panel not only makes it more efficient but can also make seawater drinkable."
The rest of the article is here- IBM cools solar cells for water and power - 4/14/2011 - Electronics Weekly

[mrm]

Wouldn't hold my breath. The idea is OK, but turns a rather simple solar panel design we use now into a complicated system requiring constant cooling, coolant pump(s), heat exchanger(s), etc. And if cooling fails, the cells may be damaged permanently in a short time. Suddenly we have another system to maintain in place of a maintenance-free solution we have now. Not very boat-friendly IMHO.

[Cotemar]

Wouldn't this be better?

'Artificial leaf' makes hydrogen from solar cell

'Artificial leaf' makes hydrogen from solar cell | Green Tech - CNET News