Copyright © 2025 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

@article{172437,
        author = {Prashant Bornare and Dr. Adwait M Vaidya},
        title = {Advancements in Solar Drying Technology: A Sustainable Solution for Food Preservation and Agricultural Processing},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {11},
        number = {8},
        pages = {3192-3197},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=172437},
        abstract = {Solar drying technology has emerged as an efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional drying   methods, addressing   issues   of   contamination, inefficiency, and   high   energy consumption. This paper explores the principles, classifications, and advancements in solar dryers, emphasizing their role in improving food processing and agricultural preservation. Solar drying systems are categorized based on air movement (passive, active, mixed), heat transfer modes (direct, indirect, hybrid), and innovative technologies like solar-assisted heat pumps. These systems utilize solar energy to provide controlled drying conditions, enhancing product quality while reducing operational costs and environmental impact. Hybrid and mixed- mode dryers are highlighted for their ability to combine direct and indirect drying techniques, offering superior performance for diverse applications. Furthermore, new technologies such as solar tunnel dryers and greenhouse dryers are discussed for their efficiency in preserving fruits, vegetables, and spices. Economic evaluations demonstrate shorter drying times, better product quality, and significant energy savings compared to conventional methods.  This study concludes that solar drying is a viable, eco-friendly option for addressing global food preservation challenges while promoting renewable energy use.},
        keywords = {Solar Drying Technology, Food Preservation, Renewable Energy, Hybrid Solar Dryers, Agricultural Processing},
        month = {January},
        }