The Impact of Solar Still Design on the Efficiency of Distillate Production: A Comprehensive Review

The global shortage of fresh water has grown exponentially due to population growth and the contamination of available water from human activities. Solar stills play an important role in providing clean water through solar-powered distillation. The efficiency of distillate generation is heavily influenced by design parameters, materials, and operating conditions. This comprehensive review investigates the effect of various solar still designs, such as conventional, stepped, multi-effect, and active solar stills, on water production efficiency.  Key factors examined include basin area, water depth, cover inclination, thermal insulation, and integration with external energy sources.  Modifications such as phase change materials (PCM), nanofluids, and reflectors significantly improve heat retention and evaporation rates, resulting in higher distillate yield. Comparative studies show that hybrid solar stills, which include photovoltaic panels or waste heat recovery systems, outperform traditional designs in terms of productivity. Furthermore, choosing the right materials for the basin and cover is critical for improving thermal conductivity and reducing heat loss. Improving energy absorption, reducing heat loss, and optimizing design configurations are critical for improving performance. The findings indicate that innovative design changes and innovative approaches can significantly increase freshwater production, making solar stills a viable solution for addressing water scarcity in arid and remote areas.