Solar-powered water filtration systems have become a critical technology for improving access to clean drinking water in areas with limited electricity and infrastructure. A mixed-method approach was employed, including a systematic review of existing literature, stakeholder consultations, and field trials. A statistical model predicting system efficiency based on sunlight intensity (y = eta₀ + eta₁ x, where x represents daily sunlight hours) was utilised to optimise the design. Field trials showed that systems with an average of at least 6 hours of sunlight per day achieved a filtration rate above 95% in clean water production, indicating high reliability and efficiency under varying climatic conditions. The designed protocol successfully addressed key challenges such as cost-effectiveness and energy sustainability, paving the way for broader implementation in similar urban slum settings. Further research should focus on scaling up the system to larger communities and exploring community engagement strategies for long-term maintenance and use.
Wambui et al. (Thu,) studied this question.