Based on an analysis of the characteristics of solar and tidal energy, an innovative, multi-effect solar distillation unit for seawater desalination utilizing solar and tidal energy has been developed. The uniqueness of the system is that without being transferred to electricity, tidal energy is utilized to supply power for water supply and drainage, and vacuum extraction instead of pumps powered by electricity. So the cost can be greatly reduced. The system is based on multi-effect evaporation-condensation processes and operates under vacuum condition, so low grade solar heat can be used with a high thermal efficiency. Hydrodynamic and thermal analysis is carried out for the water supply and drainage system driven by tidal energy. The operating mechanism of the vacuum extraction system driven by tidal energy is presented. A parametric study of the behavior of the solar desalination unit has been performed. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.