This paper aims to investigate the different parameters that affect solar still productivity when the solar still productivity is very low compared with other desalination systems, such as other thermal processes or membrane processes. These parameters include environmental, design and operational parameters. The results show that productivity was highly affected by environmental parameters due to the unpredictability of metrological factors. When design and operational parameters were varied, increases in productivity were observed. The results indicated that the solar still was inversely affected by evaporation area, water depth, a minimization in the angle of the solar still cover during summer seasons and maximization during winter seasons. Stepped solar still techniques enhanced the productivity, and the addition of wicks in a stepped solar still was proposed. Insulating the sun tracking system positively affected the productivity because the insulation increased the heating capability and evaporative effects inside the still basin. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.