Novel and low cost designs of portable solar stills

► A study into the potential for a low cost portable solar still for domestic use was conducted. ► A small and a large solar still were designed using extrusion manufacturing and tested. ► The stills yielded distilled water at an average price of 5.5 cent per litre. ► With respect to price, the stills were not comparable with bulk chemical treatment, and thus are not a viable substitute for it. ► The yields from designed stills is cheaper than bottled water cost and thus are a potential substitute for it.