This paper describes the authors' experience of constructing a 113 m(2) solar pond at Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia. The work demonstrates the technical viability of solar pond technology in the Middle East. A sustainable system for heat extraction from the experimental pond was designed and implemented. A new scheme for the measurement of temperature throughout the pond was also introduced for the purpose of further enhancing performance. The aim of this research is to develop an operational protocol which achieves high levels of thermal and mechanical efficiency and within which salt is conserved by first concentrating the surface discharge of saline in an evaporation pond followed by its re-circulation to the base of the pond via a salt charger. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.