Advancements in solar technologies are making it more cost competitive with fossil fuel-derived electricity, but where it really shines is where other sources of power are not readily available. Ecosphere Technologies, Inc. hopes to addresses two shortages that effect rural areas at one with the Ecos Power Cube, a product that uses solar energy to filter water.

The company says a single unit can provide enough power to filter water for a small village, but the sparse website doesn't offer much by way of explaining the technology or providing cost estimates.

If it works as advertised, the Ecos Power Cube might become popular in South Africa, which is ripe for water purification investment. According to a new report from analyst firm Frost and Sullivan, the market for wastewater treatment is booming as the demand for clean water is outstripping supply and in a considerable understatement "water has become an even more valued commodity."

For developing nations, access to clean water in rural areas is critical to growing the local economies. Since many of the areas that are short on clean water are also power deprived, it may be cheaper to install solar power than to extend the power grid or use diesel generators and import fuel. This arena smacks of opportunity as aid to developing nations will pay the premium to provide the basic necessities.