Comparative study of an inclined solar panel basin solar still in passive and active mode

•44.63% higher distillate yield is obtained for an active ISPB still than the passive ISPB still.•10% higher panel efficiency is obtained for the passive ISPB still than the active ISPB still.•The maximum daily yield, thermal and exergy efficiency of the passive ISPB still is 4.3 kg, 39.82% and 2.9%, respectively.•The maximum daily yield, thermal and exergy efficiency of the active ISPB still is 7.9 kg, 46.87% and 6.6%, respectively. The aim of the present study is to compare the performance of the Inclined Solar Panel Basin (ISPB) still integrated with (active mode) and without (passive mode) Flat Plat Collector (FPC). The maximum yield of 4.3 and 7.9 kg/day is produced from the passive and active mode respectively. The daily thermal and exergy effectiveness of the passive mode is 39.82% and 2.9% and, the active mode is 46.87% and 6.6%, respectively. For the active mode the daily yield, thermal and exergy efficiencies are increased and the panel effectiveness is decreased. An active mode increases the daily fresh water production rate, thermal and exergy effectiveness up to 44.63, 24.91 and 55.68% respectively than the passive mode.