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Natural Solar Dryers


Grekkon - July 29, 2024 - 19 comments

Solar Dryer Prices in Kenya

Natural Solar dryers in Kenya are technologies that use the power of the sun to dry produce during periods of plenty for later use. Natural Solar dryers in Kenya are used to dry vegetables, fruits, cereals, fish, potatoes and meat. They are environmentally safe, use less energy and dry produce much faster.  The drying technology, if embraced, will go a long way in curbing food shortages in Africa.

 

vegetable drying in Kenya

Chillies drying in a wooden solar dryer

 


Solar dryer constructed in Homa bay by Grekkon Limited

Watch: https://youtu.be/fy8qhDjwJ4g

How commercial solar dryers work

Vegetable drying machines in Kenya work by heating the produce directly or indirectly. In direct drying, the sun heats the produce directly while in indirect drying, a black surface is heated which then transfers hot air that heats the produce.

Advantages of solar dryers in Kenya

  1. They dry fruits and vegetables very fast compared to drying in the open. For instance, if it takes 7 days in the open, It will take you 1-2 days with a dryer.
  2. There is less risk of spoilage because the drying process is very fast.
  3. Solar dried fruits are also good for health
  4. Food is protected from contamination.
  5. Solar dried fruits, vegetables and meat are very appetizing.

Types of Commercial Solar Dryers in Kenya

solar dryers for agricultural products can be metallic or wooden. Metallic solar dryers are the most common in Kenya. They are made of galvanized steel which are made to last long. The cover is made of clear UV treated greenhouse polythene sheet 200 microns in thickness. It has shelves for drying the fruits, meat, fish and vegetables. The shelves can have different levels depending on the quantity to be dried.

Metallic solar dryer covered with UV treated sheet

Hybrid Solar Dryers

A hybrid solar dryer combines both natural sun drying and other heat transfer systems. Thus, the drying process can be continued in off sun shine hours.

Grekkon Limited recently pioneered in the construction of a hybrid sun dryer in Taita Taveta, Kenya whose main components were:

  • Metallic natural dryer complete with shelves, UV nectarine cover and black flooring
  • Fan system for removal of excess heat
  • Solar system with batteries to store heat.

Heat stored is then released when outside temperatures drop. This ensures continuous drying even at night and during cold seasons.

Gallery slideGallery slideGallery slide

Solar Dryer Materials

The floor is made of a black covering to absorb much heat. It has also been designed in such a way that there is air flowing in, while much heat is retained.

Wooden solar dryers are made of wood. Other solar dryer materials used for its construction are black UV treated dam liner, timber, nails, white side netting.

Before drying, fruits and vegetables have to be chopped into small pieces to increase the surface area for drying.

Different sizes have different capacities. You can have dryers drying from small quantities to tonnes of produce. The choice will depend on what is being dried or the demand.

Solar Drying by Crop

  • Mango solar dryer: Used for drying mangoes
  • Vegetable solar dryers: Used for drying vegetables
  • Banana solar dryer: for drying bananas into fine crisps
  • Gooseberry solar dryer: For drying gooseberry fruits.

Solar Dryer Prices in Kenya

The prices of solar dryers in Kenya will depend on the type and size. Generally, solar dryer prices in Kenya range between Kes. 50,000 to Kes. 130,000 for non hybrid metallic.

Solar Dryer Size Drying Capacity Price of Solar Dryer
1.5m x 1.5m x 1.5m 40-50kgs KES 70,000
2m x 2m x 2m 50-90kgs KES 80,000
2m x 3m x 2m 80-100kgs KES 90,000
2m x 4m x 2m 90-110kgs KES 110,000
2m x 5m x 2m 100-130kgs KES 130,000
L X W x H    

 

19 comments

  1. Emmanuel

    Hello admin
    I would like to inquire more about the solar dryers;
    Can they be used to dry fruits juices into powder form?
    Can sugarcane juice be dried to powder in this type of dryer? How long can it take to evaporate that water and remain with the solid particle of the juice.
    Thank you

    • Admin

      Dear Emanuel,
      Thank you for contacting Grekkon Limited. Yes our solar dryers can be used to dry fruit juices, but does it mean you will everything once drying is complete?
      Regards,
      Grekkon Limited

  2. Festus Ngeerah

    I am in Maua Meru.
    Do you deliver the dryers?

    • Admin

      Hello Festus, yes we have an office in Meru which is near you. Our Meru office line is 0113679873. Please share your number too for follow up.

  3. Roselyne Barasa

    I need two solar driers in Busia that can dry averagely 100 kgs of fruit. Give me best offer plus delivery and installation

  4. mayama musala

    i wish to get a sola drier for drying brewers waste which is in paste form to powder. Should have capacity to dry around 100-150 at a go.

  5. James

    Solar dryers are the best

  6. Hello GREKKON,

    I need this Solar Dryer Size: 2*3*2m and also want to communicate with you if possible in order to get quotation from you please?

    Regards

    • Admin

      Hello Sam, thank you for you contacting us and apologies for the late response. We will be glad to construct for you. Please reach us out on 0711895635

  7. Andrew Amwayi

    2m x 5m x 2m 100-130kgs I request to have this solar drier and I need two. So what is the best price and if you can deliver at Bungoma County. Its important to have a quick response and further share pictures/videos you have through my whatsapp; 0726594902

  8. Edmund

    Hello, can this dyer be used for removing moisture in grated coconut.

    • Admin

      Hi Edmund and apologies for the late response. Yes it will assist you in removing moisture from the coconut.

  9. Is it safe to solar dry fish and meat?
    What’s the price of a metal solar dryer with capacity of 1/2 tone?
    I need one urgently in my home- Akado, Seme Subcounty, Kisumu County