Performance analysis of pyramid solar still with natural banana fibers and Kanche marbles

This research investigates the impact of different energy storage materials on the efficiency of a pyramid solar still (PSS) for producing drinkable water in Pongalur, Tamil Nadu, India (10.9729° N, 77.3698° E). The study compares the performance of PSS using kanche marbles, natural banana fibers, and a reference solar still with only black paint at the basin. Results indicate that kanche marbles yield the highest distillate output, producing 2.94 kg daily, followed by banana fibers at 2.85 kg, and the reference still at 2.20 kg. Notably, kanche marbles and banana fibers enhance day and night distillate production by 36% and 21%, respectively, over the reference solar still. These findings highlight the significant potential of kanche marbles and natural banana fibers in improving solar still efficiency.