This paper discusses the experimental and theoretical performance of a solar still with circular and square fins integrated at the basin. A mild steel circular pipe (0.03 m dia x 0.07 m height) and a square hollow pipe (0.019 m side length x 0.07 m height) are used as fins in the modified still. Performance of the system is investigated by varying water depth (1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm and 4 cm) in the basin and wick material covered over fins. The distillate attains a maximum (4.55 kg/m(2) day) in the still with square fin and covering with wick, whereas the conventional still yields a maximum of 3.16 kg/m(2) day. The carbon credit analysis result shows that the embodied energy payback time is less than one year for all cases and it further reduces with an increase in operational days of the solar still. Total CO2 emission mitigation is about 5.6 to 36.6 t with the life time variation of 5 to 30 years in wick covered square fin still. Economic analysis shows that the cost of distilled water reduces with an increase in operational days and life time of the solar still. Theoretical analysis results show good agreement with the experimental values. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.