Advancements in Solar Still Designs: A Review of Optimization Strategies and Performance Factors

Clean water scarcity is a pressing issue, especially in arid and remote regions where access to freshwater is limited. Desalination technologies play a crucial role in transforming brackish and saline water into potable water. Solar stills, leveraging abundant solar energy, offer a sustainable solution for water desalination in rural and isolated areas. This review paper explores various types of solar stills, focusing on their design, performance, and optimization using the Taguchi method. Specifically, it examines the effects of solar intensity and slope angle on the efficiency of double slope solar stills (DSSS) through a comprehensive literature review. Challenges in design, including enhancing heat transfer and maximizing water yield, are discussed alongside advancements in materials and modeling techniques. Factors influencing the performance of solar stills, such as glass-water temperature difference and water depth, are critically analyzed. Moreover, the paper explores desalination technologies as a viable solution to address global water shortages. By synthesizing existing research, this review aims to provide insights into the advancements and challenges in optimizing solar stills for sustainable water desalination