Solar Dryer by Cecilia

The Bangang province of Western Cameroon lacks a system of refrigeration and other basic techniques of food preservation. This leads to the unnecessary spoiling of food, particularly during the harvesting period, when there is an excess of it. In response to this problem, ACREST has created a solar dryer. The solar dryer eliminates the moisture in the food so that it will not rot. Fruits, vegetables, meats, and other items can be preserved using this technology. Then, if there is a fresh food shortage during the dry season, the dried foods can be consumed.

How it works.

First, you open the solar dryer so that the aluminum foil-covered parts and black part are all exposed to the sunlight. Rays of sunlight are reflected off the aluminum foil-covered parts and are captured by the black part. The black part is covered with a transparent material. The sunrays trapped by the black part then heat up the air in the compartment below. The heated air exits the compartment at the back of the solar dryer. It flows out and up to the shelves on which food is placed. The food is dried out by the heated air, which then exits out the top of the solar dryer.

ACREST has two solar dryers, one small and one big. The small one is a year old and costs 60,000 CFA. The big one is still under construction. It will be used for demonstrations at ACREST, and ACREST may also sell the dried food from it to passers-by.