Abstract

A solar distillation apparatus is provided which employs at least one pan which is adapted to contain a distilland therein and which has its upper portion heated directly by solar radiant energy passing through a transparent cover disposed above the pan and has its lower portion at least partially heated by radiant energy reflected from a reflective inside surface comprising a bottom wall of the apparatus such that simultaneous heating of both the upper and lower portions of the distilland is achieved and results in a more efficient heating and the provision of vapors from such distilland which engage the bottom surface of the cover and condense thereon to define a distillant which because the apparatus and cover are disposed at an angle to a horizontal plane move under the influence of gravity along such bottom surface into a reservoir therefor. The pan is disposed above the reflective inside surface such that there is an ambient air space between the bottom of the pan and the reflective inside surface whereby there is a minimum heat loss from the distilland through the bottom of the pan due to the cooperating action of the air space and reflective surface.