Solar Water Desalination Plant Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Membrane Process (Ultrafiltration Systems, Vacuum Evaporation and Distillation, Reverse Osmosis Systems, Paper Bed Filters, Solid Bowl Centrifuges, Tramp Oil Separators, Vacuum Filters, And Others), By Method (Solar-powered Humidification-Dehumidification (HDH) Desalination, Solar Diffusion Driven Desalination, Solar Membrane Distillation, Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)- based Desalination, and Solar Pond Desalination), By Industry (Industrial, Agriculture, Domestic, Municipal, and Commercial), By Region 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 2.91 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	9.84%
Fastest Growing Segment	Ultrafiltration Systems
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 5.11 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Solar Water Desalination Plant Market will grow from USD 2.91 Billion in 2025 to USD 5.11 Billion by 2031 at a 9.84% CAGR. Solar water desalination plants utilise photovoltaic or thermal solar energy systems to power purification processes, effectively removing salts and other impurities from saline water to produce potable supplies. The market is primarily propelled by the escalating global scarcity of fresh water, particularly in arid regions, alongside stringent environmental mandates aimed at decarbonizing energy-intensive desalination operations. Additionally, the long-term economic benefits derived from reducing dependency on volatile fossil fuel prices further support the adoption of these sustainable water treatment solutions.

Despite these favorable drivers, the market faces a significant challenge regarding the intermittency of solar power, which necessitates expensive energy storage systems to ensure continuous operation. This operational constraint is critical given the immense scale of the sector; according to the International Desalination and Reuse Association, in 2024, the total global contracted desalination capacity reached at least 109.2 million cubic meters per day. Converting this vast, continuous-production infrastructure to variable renewable energy sources remains a complex technical and financial undertaking for industry stakeholders.

Key Market Drivers

Escalating Global Freshwater Scarcity and Severe Water Stress acts as the primary catalyst propelling the Global Solar Water Desalination Plant Market. As traditional aquifers deplete and climate change intensifies aridity, nations are forced to transition from conventional freshwater sources to energy-efficient desalination technologies powered by renewable resources. This transition is driven by urgent necessity rather than mere opportunity; according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, March 2024, in the 'United Nations World Water Development Report 2024', roughly half of the world’s population currently experiences severe water scarcity for at least part of the year. This demographic pressure creates a sustained demand for off-grid and utility-scale solar desalination units, particularly in remote and water-stressed regions where grid infrastructure is unreliable or nonexistent.

Rising Emphasis on Decarbonization and Sustainable Water Production simultaneously accelerates market expansion by mandating a shift away from fossil-fuel-intensive thermal desalination. This driver is significantly reinforced by the improving economics of green energy, which lowers the operational expenditure barrier for new installations. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, September 2024, in the 'Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2023' report, the global weighted average cost of electricity from utility-scale solar photovoltaics fell by 12% year-on-year to USD 0.044 per kilowatt-hour. Such reductions in energy costs are encouraging massive capital projects that integrate renewable power supplies; for instance, according to Maghreb Arabe Presse, in 2024, construction began on the Casablanca seawater desalination plant, which targets a vast annual production capacity of 300 million cubic meters utilizing green energy sources.

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Key Market Challenges

The intermittency of solar power presents a formidable barrier to the growth of the Global Solar Water Desalination Plant Market by creating a distinct mismatch between variable energy supply and the continuous operational needs of desalination facilities. Water purification processes require a steady, uninterrupted power load to maintain system pressure and efficiency, whereas solar energy generation is restricted to daylight hours and fluctuates with weather conditions. This inconsistency forces operators to rely on expensive battery energy storage systems to bridge production gaps during non-production hours. The substantial capital expenditure required for such storage technologies significantly raises the overall production costs, often making solar-powered solutions less financially viable compared to conventional fossil-fuel-based systems.

The challenge is further amplified by the immense infrastructure scale that must be accommodated to shift the market. According to the International Desalination and Reuse Association, in 2024, the industry tracked over 22,000 desalination plant profiles globally. Converting or building facilities within such a vast network to rely on variable solar energy involves prohibitive costs and technical complexity regarding grid stability. These financial risks deter potential investors and complicate the project economics for new ventures, thereby directly stalling the broader adoption of sustainable solar desalination technologies.

Key Market Trends

The Emergence of Battery-Free Direct-Drive Desalination Systems is revolutionizing the sector by eliminating the reliance on costly battery storage to manage solar intermittency. These advanced architectures utilize adaptive control algorithms to synchronize the desalination rate directly with real-time solar irradiance variations, significantly reducing capital expenditures for remote installations. This technological shift allows systems to operate efficiently even under fluctuating weather conditions, bypassing the need for static power loads. According to MIT News, October 2024, researchers field-tested a prototype of this system in New Mexico, which produced up to 5,000 liters of drinking water per day while harnessing over 94% of the available electrical energy.

Simultaneously, the Integration of AI and IoT for Real-Time Plant Monitoring is enhancing operational efficiency by enabling precise, data-driven energy management. Operators are deploying machine learning algorithms to analyze plant data, allowing for the predictive adjustment of flow rates to minimize energy waste during operations. This digitalization is critical for lowering the specific energy consumption of reverse osmosis systems, making green desalination more competitive. According to Aquatech Online, October 2024, Gradiant secured funding to construct a facility in Singapore utilizing AI technology, which targets an energy consumption level below 2 kWh per cubic meter, a substantial improvement over the current benchmark of 3.5 kWh per cubic meter.

Segmental Insights

Based on industry analysis, the Ultrafiltration Systems segment is identified as the fastest-growing category within the Global Solar Water Desalination Plant Market. This rapid expansion is primarily driven by the critical role of ultrafiltration as a pre-treatment stage for Reverse Osmosis facilities, where it significantly mitigates membrane fouling and extends operational lifecycles. Furthermore, the technology's low energy requirement aligns effectively with solar photovoltaic integrations, rendering it a viable solution for decentralized water production in remote areas. These operational efficiencies, combined with its capability to remove suspended solids and pathogens, are accelerating its adoption globally.

Regional Insights

North America holds a commanding position in the Global Solar Water Desalination Plant Market, primarily driven by the widespread adoption of renewable energy technologies across the industrial and municipal sectors. This dominance is reinforced by stringent environmental mandates enforced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, which compel industries to manage wastewater discharge sustainable and reduce freshwater withdrawal. Consequently, the region is witnessing a rapid integration of solar-powered purification systems to ensure regulatory compliance and address water scarcity in key states. These factors, combined with established infrastructure investments, secure North America's status as the leading regional market.

Recent Developments

• In February 2025, GivePower, in collaboration with ServiceNow, inaugurated a new solar-powered water desalination farm in Mtwapa, Kenya, to tackle the region's water crisis. The facility was engineered to generate up to 75,000 liters of clean drinking water each day, significantly alleviating water scarcity and contamination challenges for the local population. Operating entirely off-grid, the system utilized advanced solar energy and battery storage technologies to desalinate brackish water and eliminate harmful contaminants. This project highlighted the effectiveness of renewable energy in providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable water solutions to underserved coastal communities facing severe resource limitations.
• In December 2024, Jakson Green entered a strategic partnership with Desolenator to develop and deploy sustainable solar desalination solutions on a global scale. Under this agreement, Jakson Green made a strategic investment to scale Desolenator's innovative technology, which utilizes solar energy to purify seawater and brackish water while eliminating harmful brine through zero liquid discharge. The collaboration focused on accelerating the deployment of these systems and conducting joint research to refine the technology. The companies also planned to co-invest in strategic water treatment projects and establish manufacturing partnerships to deliver cost-effective, clean water access to communities worldwide.
• In May 2024, Veolia, a global leader in water technology, secured a significant contract to engineer and supply key technology for the Hassyan seawater desalination plant in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Commissioned by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and ACWA Power, this facility was projected to be the largest desalination plant powered by solar energy in the world. The plant was designed to utilize reverse osmosis technology with exceptional energy efficiency, achieving a very low power consumption rate. This project underscored the company's commitment to providing sustainable, low-carbon solutions to ensure water security for millions of people in the region.
• In May 2024, ARA Petroleum and HELIOVIS entered into a commercial contract to construct the world's first solar-thermally powered, zero-emission desalination plant for treating produced water. This groundbreaking project aimed to leverage HELIOVIS’s innovative concentrated solar power technology to treat highly saline water resulting from oil extraction, effectively converting it into clean water. The initiative marked a major step forward in sustainable industrial water management, significantly reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional water treatment methods in the oil and gas industry. The collaboration demonstrated the practical application of renewable solar thermal energy for demanding desalination processes.

Key Market Players

• Elemental Water Makers B.V.
• F Cubed Limited
• Photon Energy Systems Limited
• Sinovoltaics Group Limited
• Solar Water Solutions Ltd.
• Sterlitech Corporation
• Trunz Water Systems AG
• Waaree Energies Ltd.
• ACCIONA, S.A.

By Membrane Process	By Method	By Industry	By Region
Ultrafiltration Systems Vacuum Evaporation and Distillation Reverse Osmosis Systems Paper Bed Filters Solid Bowl Centrifuges Tramp Oil Separators Vacuum Filters And Others	Solar-powered Humidification-Dehumidification (HDH) Desalination Solar Diffusion Driven Desalination Solar Membrane Distillation Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)- based Desalination and Solar Pond Desalination	Industrial Agriculture Domestic Municipal and Commercial	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Solar Water Desalination Plant Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Solar Water Desalination Plant Market, By Membrane Process:

• Ultrafiltration Systems
• Vacuum Evaporation and Distillation
• Reverse Osmosis Systems
• Paper Bed Filters
• Solid Bowl Centrifuges
• Tramp Oil Separators
• Vacuum Filters
• And Others

• Solar Water Desalination Plant Market, By Method:

• Solar-powered Humidification-Dehumidification (HDH) Desalination
• Solar Diffusion Driven Desalination
• Solar Membrane Distillation
• Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)- based Desalination
• and Solar Pond Desalination

• Solar Water Desalination Plant Market, By Industry:

• Industrial
• Agriculture
• Domestic
• Municipal
• and Commercial

• Solar Water Desalination Plant Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE