We have studied an active solar distillation system during peak summer days. The system is made of fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) and is coupled to a flat-plate collector (FPC). Performance of single and double-effect solar distillation, with and without water-flow over the glass cover, was monitored. It was found that an active solar still with water flow over the glass cover gives the maximum yield. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.