Reverse osmosis desalination for irrigation in a pistachio orchard

Abstract

Abstract Nowadays, the salinisation of groundwaters causes a substantial reduction in the yield of agricultural lands. To reduce the impact of this problem on the profitability of the lands, farmers tend to use desalination processes. However, this transition is not simple and some technical, economic, and environmental issues should be considered. In this study, we highlight some key factors for the use of desalination processes in the agricultural sector. Also, we conduct a techno-economic evaluation of using reverse osmosis desalination in a pistachio orchard as a high-value crop. Moreover, because of the solar energy potential in the location of the case study, the use of solar panels is assessed under the current feed-in tariff policy. A detailed cash flow analysis is performed and shows that using a desalination process results in up to a seventeen-fold net present value increase due to a threefold increase in the orchard yield when compared to irrigation with the available brackish water. The payback period is around 1.5\xa0years. In the end, a Mont-Carlo analysis is performed to show the risk reduction of different fluctuations such as pistachio selling and electricity prices, by the use of desalinated irrigation water.