In the present study, the performance of an inclined solar still with and without baffles are studied. From the study, it is identified that the yield of fresh water and the evaporation of water inside the solar still are completely dependent on the retention time of water with solar radiance. Furthermore, a theoretical and experimental analysis is carried out in order to evaluate the performance of the solar still using RHN (Ravi-Harris-Nagarajan) Model. The yields are 5.4 kg/m(2)day +/- 3.6% for solar still with baffles and 3.4 kg/m(2)day +/- 3% for solar still without baffles during April month with a total daily intensity of 8.125 kWh/m(2). The yield of the solar still is increased by 1.68 times the solar still without baffles. Results prove that the improvement of yield from inclined solar stills depends on the contact time of flowing water with solar radiance and temperature of the absorber. (C) 2016 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.