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Solar-driven interface evaporation has received much attention due to its high-efficiency photothermal conversion efficiency. However, in practical application, it is difficult to monitor whether the evaporation efficiency of photothermal conversion materials can maintain high efficiency and stability for a long time. In this paper, taking surface modified coconut fiber (SCF) as photothermal material, we designed a set of evaporation efficiency monitoring device (EEMD) and demonstrated the strategy of building a solar evaporation efficiency monitoring system. The SCF shows superhydrophilic wettability, and its vertical multi-stage open-framework structure is benefit to the rapid transport of water. Under 1 kW m−2 illumination, evaporation rate of SCF is 1.5 kg m−2 h−1, evaporation efficiency is 90.2%. In 20% NaCl, evaporation rate of SCF is 1.37 kg m−2 h−1, and energy conversion efficiency is 85.3%. In order to monitor the stability of evaporator efficiency, we designed a simple EEMD which applied platinum wire electrode to monitor the change of electric potential in the evaporator. The results show that the electric potential is positively correlated with the evaporation efficiency. EEMD provides a new monitoring method for the efficient and stable operation of solar evaporator. We demonstrate for the first time a new strategy for monitoring the evaporation efficiency of photothermal materials of solar steam generators by evaporation efficiency monitoring device (EEMD). The findings obtained from this study may provide a simple and versatile way for the efficient and stable operation of solar evaporator. Image 1 • Evaporation Efficiency Monitoring Device (EEMD) was designed for solar steam generation. • EEMD provides a new monitoring method for the efficient and stable operation of solar evaporator. • The electric potential is positively correlated with the evaporation efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]