Solar
dryer in Kenya is used to dry fruits, mushrooms, meats, Omena, and meat to preserve them to increase longevity for future use and ease of transportation. Solar dryers are made of wooden and metallic frames covered with UVA-treated polythene and insect nets for vents. The solar dryer base is covered with a black sheet to transfer heated air which is lighter to cause the drying effect.
Advantages of solar drier
- Solar dryers maintain hygiene by preventing flies and micro-organisms from the drying meat
- Meat or fish dried in the dryer takes 48 hours while the one dried in the open sun takes 8-10 days.
- Solar driers canopy covers the drying product from rain, wind, and dust.
- It has no running cost since it uses sun and no electricity.
- Reduces post-harvest loss by more than 80%.
Prices of solar dryer in Kenya
Metallic solar dryer
- 1.5 m x 1.5 m x1 m cost k.sh. 60,000.00
- 2 m x 2 m x 1.5 m cost k.sh 80,000.00
- 3 m by 2 m x 2 m cost k.sh 90,000.00
Wooden Solar dryer
- 1.5 m x 1.5 m x1 m cost k.sh. 34,000.00
- 2 m x 2 m x 1.5 m cost k.sh 43,000.00
- 3 m by 2 m x 2 m cost k.sh 52,000.00