Performance of a single-basin solar still

A single-basin solar still having a base area of 1.5 m² (1.5 m × 1.0 m) was designed and fabricated from galvanized steel sheet with an inclined glass cover. The unit was insulated with Staropor. Hourly and daily measurements of the still productivity, temperature of water, glass cover, and ambient air were recorded during both summer and winter seasons. Efficiency of the still was found to be independent of solar radiation, however, an increased diffused radiation lead to slight decrease in its efficiency. An increase in still productivity was observed with the increase in ambient temperature and decrease in wind velocity.