<![CDATA[Krisis air bersih masih menjadi persoalan kritis di pulau-pulau kecil akibat keterbatasan sumber air tawar, intrusi air laut, dan ketergantungan pada pasokan dari daratan. Kondisi ini menuntut solusi yang berkelanjutan, terjangkau, dan dapat dioperasikan oleh komunitas lokal. Program ini bertujuan merancang dan mengimplementasikan teknologi desalinasi tenaga surya berbasis konsep appropriate technology untuk menyediakan air layak konsumsi sekaligus meningkatkan kapasitas masyarakat dalam pengelolaan teknologi. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan mixed methods dengan desain convergent parallel, mencakup penilaian kebutuhan awal, pembangunan dan instalasi prototipe, pelatihan operasional, serta evaluasi teknis, ekonomi, dan sosial melalui monitoring lapangan, uji kualitas air, wawancara mendalam, dan FGD. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa sistem desalinasi tenaga surya berfungsi stabil di kondisi tropis, menghasilkan air dengan kualitas sesuai standar WHO, serta diterima oleh masyarakat setelah pelatihan praktis. Temuan kualitatif menegaskan peningkatan rasa aman terhadap ketersediaan air dan kesiapan operasional, meskipun masih terdapat kekhawatiran terkait akses suku cadang dan pemeliharaan lanjutan. Dampak program mencakup penguatan kemandirian air, pengurangan ketergantungan pada pasokan luar, serta pembentukan dasar kelembagaan untuk pengelolaan bersama. Secara keseluruhan, intervensi ini terbukti efektif dan memiliki potensi replikasi pada pulau kecil lainnya dengan penguatan dukungan kebijakan dan mekanisme pembiayaan lokal. Abstract The clean water crisis remains a persistent challenge in small islands where freshwater resources are scarce and communities rely heavily on water shipments from the mainland. Addressing this issue requires a sustainable, low-cost, and community-operable solution. This program aimed to design and implement a solar-powered desalination system grounded in the principles of appropriate technology to provide safe drinking water while enhancing local operational and maintenance capacities. A mixed-methods convergent parallel design was employed, involving baseline community assessment, prototype construction and installation, hands-on training, and comprehensive evaluation through technical monitoring, water quality testing, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. Results demonstrate that the solar desalination units operated reliably under tropical conditions, producing water that met WHO quality standards and receiving strong community acceptance following practical training. Qualitative findings revealed increased household water security, improved operational readiness, and concerns related to long-term maintenance and access to spare parts. The intervention generated tangible social and economic benefits, including reduced dependence on external water supplies and initial development of community-based management structures. Overall, the program proved effective in delivering an accessible and context-appropriate water solution, with strong potential for replication across other small island communities when supported by adequate policy frameworks and local financing mechanisms.]]>
