Author(s): R. Maharaja, B. Muthumanokaran, T. Ssenthilkumar

Abstract: Solar drying is an integral part of rural life for various products especially vegetables, fruits and spices which are produced in rural areas and have no scientific means of preserving such raw products. Solar energy is the most abundant one and is available in both direct as well as indirect forms. There has been a remarkable achievement in drying process. This paper is an attempt to review the solar drying process and solar dryers used for various agricultural products drying worldwide, which includes types of solar dryer, drying process and application of solar drying process. Research is going on for improvement in process, types of dryer used for improving efficiency and cost of drying.