This work describes an experimental investigation of the Makkah solar pond which was constructed in 2015 on the campus of Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The present work demonstrates the technical viability of solar pond technology in the Middle East and discusses the results of measurements taken over a period of one year. The objective of the project is to optimally manage the pond for high thermal and mechanical efficiencies. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.