Original Article Performance evaluation of parabolic trough solar collector with solar tracking tilt sensor for water distillation Fahim Ullah 1 and Min Kang 1,2 Abstract The distilled water production by the application of the parabolic trough solar collector tech- nology has its significant importance that still needs further exploration. The current study represents the modification of parabolic trough solar collector, with the using of solar tracking tilt sensor with the continuous water circulation rate of 0.22 kg/s to enhance the productivity of the parabolic trough solar collector, and the tracking system consisting of low-speed 12 V motor units of 0.75 r/min and torque of 50 N m was found suitable for the tracking mechanism. The collector received 476 W/m 2 with the highest amount of distilled water up to 6675 ml/h m 2 during the months of August and the 121  C temperature was recorded during the experiment. The efficiency was noted 31% for the month of August due to the highest absorbing solar irradiance. It was concluded from the results that the tested values of pH and EC in distilled water were decreased from the initial values with the process of distillation through parabolic trough solar collector. Further, from the results, it was concluded that the PTSC was working efficiently with the highest amount of distilled water with the solar tracking tilt sensor and higher efficiency from 08:00 AM to 16:00 PM during the daytime. Furthermore, recommended by the results of the experiment that the amount of distilled water produced significantly depends on the amount of energy input on the concentrator. At last, the distilled water quality was measured and the results were found acceptable for the standard of the Environmental Protection Agency. 1 College of Engineering, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China 2 Guanyun Research Institute for Modern Agricultural Equipment, Nanjing Agricultural University, Guanyun, China Corresponding author: Min Kang, College of Engineering, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210031, China. Email: kangmin@njau.edu.cn Energy & Environment 0(0) 1–17 ! The Author(s) 2019 Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions DOI: 10.1177/0958305X19839276 journals.sagepub.com/home/eae