Table 3.

Classification of solar food dryers

Category	Description
Open air	Food is exposed to Sun in open containers or on the ground. No protection from extraneous contamination
Direct solar dryer	Food is placed in a closed container. Solar radiation is allowed to fall on food directly through a clear cover. Vents provide air flow
Indirect solar dryer	Fresh air is heated in a solar heat collector and passed through the food placed in a drying chamber. Thus the food is not directly exposed to solar radiation
Mixed dryers	Food is dried through direct sun as well as by hot air heated through a separate solar heat collector
Hybrid dryer	Drying is done using Solar heat as well as conventional electricity, fossil fuel/biomass
Fuel dryer	Non-Solar; 100 % on conventional electric or fossil fuel