The objective of this research was to develop and evaluate a cost effective electrospun photothermal coating for solar membrane distillation (MD). Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with embedded carbon black (CB) nanoparticles were electrospun directly onto surface hydrophilized polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes to impart a resistance free photothermal layer. PVA was chosen as a cost-effective alternative to previously reported photothermal coatings of Polyvinyl alcohol, N-methyl-4(4’-formylstyryl)pyridinium methosulfate acetal (SbQ-PVA) CB composites. To evaluate efficacy of photothermal coatings, both conventional MD and solar MD tests were carried out. Coatings were also tested for stability in feed solutions of varying NaCl concentrations and pH. PVA/CB coatings were found to have improved water stability compared to existing photothermal coatings and did not sacrifice MD performance.