Techno-economic analysis of greenhouse solar dryer for drying agricultural produce

The numerous benefits of solar drying over open sun drying have resulted in extensive research in the field of solar dryers. This research paper describes the development and analysis of a 100 kg capacity greenhouse solar dryer designed to produce high-quality dried products. The greenhouse is effective in raising the temperature within it to 10–14 °C higher than ambient temperature and the tested products dry at a much shorter duration when compared to drying in the open sun. Detailed economic analysis was conducted through annualized cost, life cycle savings, and payback period methods. According to annualized cost method calculations, the cost of drying products by using a solar dryer is much lesser than when an electric dryer is used. Calculations also reveal potential savings of up to 10 times the value of current-day investment within the dryer lifetime, depending on the product to be dried. The dryer also has a short payback period of 1.5–2.1 years for the considered agricultural products.