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• Hybrid solar desalination system. • Active mode operation and passive mode operation. • Solar desalination systems efficiency and economic analysis. • Trend in distillate cost, and yield by hybrid solar desalination systems. • Innovation type, feedwater, weather variabilities, operation mode impact on distillate quantity. In this paper, a hybrid solar desalination system was fabricated and incorporated with a water heater powered by a photovoltaic (PV) system. It was experimentally evaluated at Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Malaysia. Daytime operating conditions without the use of a PV system were considered for the conventional operation, while the use of PV alone or combined with direct solar radiation was considered as the modified system. This study was carried out to determine the freshwater yield, weather variabilities impact on yield, economic analysis, and system efficiency of hybrid solar desalination systems. An encyclopaedic review of five years of different researchers from different countries was critically analysed and compared with this study to see their trends and relationship. Within the study period, solar still distillate cost ranges from 0.0051 to 0.8857$/L, and 0.006 to 0.789$/L for the modified and conventional systems respectively. Similarly, the distillate cost for this study is 0.0374$/L and 0.0892$/L for the conventional and modified systems respectively. Also, the distillate yield ranges from 0.93 to 24.3 L/m2.day with an average of 12.1 L/m2.day, for the modified system, and 0.55 to 6.63 L/m2.day with an average of 3.35 L/m2.day for the conventional systems. The hourly system efficiency is 30.07 %, and 8.29 % for the modified and conventional systems respectively. Solar still is economically reasonable with good efficiency as obtained from the result. The findings also suggested that researchers should target a distillate yield of at least 6 L/m2.day and a distillate cost of 0.2$/L or lower for innovation, for a good and economical system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaysia is one of the leading producers and exporters of oil palm, and the industry contributes significantly to the growth of the national economy. Nonetheless, the consequential oil palm biomass (OPB) with a potential yield of ∼97 million tonnes annually presents both challenges and opportunities, demanding innovative waste management solutions. This paper explores the feasibility of converting OPB into valuable commodities by employing concentrated solar-driven pyrolysis. A detailed overview of the biomass produced from oil palm plantations and mills is provided, along with a discussion of the industry stakeholders and associated biomass management challenges. The pyrolysis of OPB is explored, emphasizing benefits, potential barriers, and techniques. The focus then shifts to Malaysia's solar potential, which ranges from 1470 to 1900 kWh/m2 annually. The potentials of solar pyrolysis are explored, encompassing discussions on solar concentrator types, reactors, and the distribution of solar and OPB resources throughout Malaysia. The paper then recommends Tawau in Sabah, as an ideal location for OPB solar pyrolysis, due to its solar availability (up to 1873 kWh/m2), potential OPB resources from 19 mills and 241 plantations, and supportive infrastructure. The paper proposes solar-driven pyrolysis as a sustainable solution for Malaysia's OPB management, offers insights for policy initiatives and technological innovations in optimizing OPB and solar energy utilization. • Analyzes oil palm biomass potential for solar pyrolysis in Malaysia. • Explores solar resources in Malaysia for solar-driven pyrolysis. • Examines solar concentrators and reactors for pyrolysis. • Identifies potential city, as the optimal location for solar pyrolysis. • Discusses commercialization challenges of solar-driven pyrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]