Conventional single basin passive solar still has low productivity. In this context, productivity of passive solar still is increased by using nanoparticles in modified still. Modified still has white painted sidewalls. Nanoparticles enhance thermal characteristics of the fluid by increasing surface area for heat transfer. CuO nanoparticles have been used in modified still to increase productivity and efficiency. Experiments have been performed at water depth of 5cm and 10cm with nanoparticles added 0.12% by weight. The performance is compared with the conventional solar still kept at same place (Jabalpur, India, 23° 10’ N, 79° 59’ E) in same ambient conditions. Modified solar still with added nanoparticles produces 3445ml/m2-day and 3058ml/m2-day at water depth of 5cm and 10cm respectively, while conventional solar still yields 2814ml/m2-day and 2351ml/m2-day for respective water depth. In this experimental work, error analysis and cost analysis has also been carried out

This paper shows the approach to the design aspects of a hybrid energy system that will target educational institutes. The purpose of this work is the computation, simulation & optimization of hybrid energy system. The hybrid energy system comes from the biomass gasifier generator set, solar and fuel cell with battery storage system to fulfill partially load requirement of Energy Centre, MANIT Bhopal. The computation software used for this work is HOMER Pro 3.2.3. HOMER Pro is a design simulation model that analyzed the sizing, costing optimization and control strategy of the hybrid energy system. The analysis of such hybrid energy systems feeding AC primary load of 101 kWh/day energy consumption with a 5kW maximum load demand. The simulation results show that optimized size of components, biomass gasifier (5kW) - solar (5kW) - fuel cell (5kW) and optimized cost of energy about 15.064 Rs/kW

The experimental investigation has been done in the month of April 2015 for climate condition of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India (latitude 23o18ˈN; Longitude 79o 95ˈE) during full day, 06.00 AM to 06:00 PM. The performance of the solar still with modification of water flow over the glass cover (sprinkler attachment) and nano particles (cuprous oxide) in basin water has been observed, recorded and compared with conventional still. It has been found that the collection of pure water in modified solar sill was 4000 ml/(m2-day) as compared to 2900 ml/(m2-day) in conventional solar still. The efficiency of 34% and 22% has been obtained for modified solar still and conventional still respectively. With design amendments, increase in overall effectiveness was found to be 54.54 %. The computed cost of pure water produced in modified still is expected to (INR) Rs.0.98/liter, in view of 12 yrs life of the solar still.