Abstract: A solar evaporator for recovering minerals from a solution or liquid mixture including one or several stages, each having a large evaporative surface on which the solution sprayed, the surface being dark colored to absorb solar energy and the surface inclining toward a vat which catches the unevaporated solution draining from the surface. The surface is corrugated to shed precipitated minerals into its furrows where the returning solution entrains the mineral crystals and carries them back to the vat where they settle out to the bottom and await harvesting. The apparatus includes means to prevent entry of rainwater into the vat and to drain the rainwater away from the solution in the vat.