This paper evaluates a one-stage technique to improve fresh water production from salty water by enhancing the evaporation and condensation. A pilot plant is designed and constructed in an arid area with 1 m(2) solar water collector area to evaluate the one-stage process. The effect of main parameters on fresh water production of the unit is studied. The results show that, the productivity, efficiency, productivity rate, and Gained Output Ratio of the desalination unit are strongly affected by the inlet hot water temperature and flow rate. Within the studied ranges, the maximum daily productivity reached to 9 l/m(2). According to these results, fresher water production of the present system is higher than that solar humidification-dehumidification desalination system in the previous studies. The maximum daily efficiency in the desalination system is about 87%. A TDS (total dissolved solids) of fresher water is 40 ppm. Finally, the cost of distilled water per liter is $0.029. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.