Investigating the Thermal Performance of Different Solar-Assisted Dryers for Agricultural Produce: A Review

Food demand is anticipated to increase (40–50%) by 2030, and maintaining a balance between food supply and consumption is extremely difficult. The quality of agricultural goods is declining due to a lack of modern storage space and inadequate preservation methods. Among postharvest preservation procedures, solar dryers are recommended as a clean and effective regulating method for fruit and vegetable goods. The most common challenges faced by solar drying applications are related to cost and drying quality. The various types of solar dryers and their effect on the product property and their economic, social, and environmental impacts have been examined. The effectiveness and efficiency of solar dryer is mostly determined by its design, materials, and other important considerations. Moreover, this review examines the effect of financial and structural factors on the performance of different types of solar dryers. The quality of agricultural goods is declining due to lack of modern storage space and inadequate preservation methods. Among postharvest preservation techniques, solar dryers are promoted as the sustainable and effective regulating method for fruit and vegetable products. Cost effectiveness and drying quality are the most challenging for solar drying application. Thus, the different types of solar dryers, coupled with the distinct impact of their use on product quality as well as economic, social and environmental considerations, have been discussed. The performance of solar dryer is mostly determined by its design, material and other important considerations. This review also discusses the impact of financial and structural factors on the performance of solar drying technology.