QAZAQ GREEN. Scientists at South Ural State University in Russia have developed a technology that enables excess heat generated by solar panels to be reused for heating water during purification and desalination processes. The team has created what they describe as the world’s first software tool for calculating the temperature of the sun-exposed rear surface of a photovoltaic panel and has patented a solar-powered water treatment device, the university reported.

The project was carried out with support from the Russian Science Foundation. In the proposed system, a photovoltaic panel functions not only as a source of electricity but also as part of a water-heating mechanism. Under normal operating conditions, the heat produced by solar panels is released into the atmosphere without being used.

To capture this energy, researchers installed a coil containing a heat-transfer fluid on the rear side of the panel. Water circulating through the coil is heated using the panel’s waste heat. A temperature of around 30°C is sufficient for the distillation process, making the system suitable for desalinating seawater and treating mineral groundwater.

Temperature control is handled by a dedicated computer program that calculates the temperature of the panel’s insolated surface. The software is written in Python and is designed for practical use without specialized technical training. All key parameters are built into the system, measurements are collected automatically, and real-time water temperature readings are displayed on screen.

The developers say the main innovation lies in the practical use of waste heat, which is typically ignored in conventional solar energy systems. In this configuration, a photovoltaic panel effectively serves as both an electricity generator and a water heater.

The technology could be applied at chemical water treatment facilities, as well as at renewable and hybrid energy plants. It offers a way to improve the overall efficiency of solar panels, maintain precise control over water temperature, and reuse heated coolant for industrial applications.