Economics of solar drying

Abstract

Solar drying is an ancient and inexpensive technique used for the preservation of agricultural item. Solar drying involves the removal of moisture content from crop. It is very important that the solar crop drying system should be cost-effective. Different methods of solar drying have been developed like open sun drying and greenhouse solar drying. The recent development in this area is greenhouse photovoltaic thermal mixed-mode drying in which electricity is also produced while crop drying is done. This system is quite useful for people living in remote areas. The solar drying of commercial industrial crops such as cotton, jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and ground nut has been popular and feasible. There is a need to invent cheaper solar drying methods to meet the demands of farmers of developing countries. © 2017, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.