Integrated solar-powered rainwater harvesting system with membrane filtration
A sustainable water treatment solution combining rooftop rainwater harvesting with solar-powered membrane filtration. Designed for facilities with large roof areas and abundant rainfall, this system delivers treated water at lower cost by integrating photovoltaic panels with membrane filtration units. Suitable for industrial facilities such as beverage plants seeking decentralized, energy-independent water supply.
Overview
This solution offers an integrated approach to sustainable water supply by combining rooftop rainwater harvesting with solar-powered membrane filtration. It is designed for facilities with large available roof surface and abundant rainfall, where the investment in collection and treatment infrastructure is economically justified. By powering the membrane filtration unit with photovoltaic panels mounted on the same rooftop, the system reduces dependence on grid electricity and lowers the overall cost of producing treated water. The concept is particularly relevant for industrial operations such as beverage manufacturing plants, where existing roof areas can be retrofitted with conveyance systems to channel harvested rainwater through treatment.
Technical specifications
Key components and features:
- Catchment surface: Utilizes existing large roof areas as rainwater collection surfaces, with conveyance systems retrofitted to channel harvested water
- Dual-stream flow design: One stream feeds directly into the membrane filtration unit for treatment, while overflow is directed to holding tanks for controlled dosing into the filtration unit
- Membrane filtration unit: Treats harvested rainwater to produce potable or process-grade water suitable for industrial or domestic use
- Solar PV integration: An array of photovoltaic panels mounted on the same roof powers the membrane filtration unit, enabling energy-independent operation
- Life-cycle cost optimization: Design informed by life-cycle cost analysis showing rainwater harvesting is viable given sufficient catchment area and rainfall
Technology readiness level
The concept has been supported by life-cycle cost analysis and prior studies demonstrating that rainwater harvesting in southeastern Nigeria can yield water at costs as low as 5 USD without treatment. The researchers are open to conducting a pilot study to validate the integrated solar-powered membrane filtration configuration in a real-world setting, such as a beverage manufacturing facility. The system is at an early-to-mid stage of development, with the next step being pilot-scale validation to confirm performance, cost, and scalability under operational conditions.
About University of Nigeria
The University of Nigeria is a federal, multi‑campus public university with its main campus in Nsukka and additional sites in Enugu and Ituku‑Ozalla, anchored by an affiliated teaching hospital. Clinical infrastructure through the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital enables clinical research and translation, while an on‑campus innovation hub offers incubation and industry‑facing programming. Locations in Nsukka, Enugu, and Ituku‑Ozalla give companies access across southeastern Nigeria, with ICT facilities on the Enugu campus supporting joint testing and training. Research is backed by Nigerian federal mechanisms such as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, alongside competitive international programs. An Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office guides IP protection, licensing, and commercialization.
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