**4. Types of solar drying**

Solar drying is an age-old technique that utilizes the sun's power to remove moisture from various substances, including food. This preservation method has been practiced for centuries and continues to be widely used in many regions worldwide. By harnessing solar energy, solar drying offers a natural and cost-effective way to extend the shelf life of perishable items while preserving their nutritional value. Different solar drying methods, each with its unique approach and design, are presented in **Figure 1**. The description, suitability, advantage, and disadvantages of each significant solar drying technique are presented in **Table 2**. These methods are often tailored to suit specific needs, environmental conditions, and the type of dried material.

**Figure 1.** *Types of solar energy-based drying methods [7].*


*Assessment of Solar Dryer Performance for Drying Different Food Materials: A Comprehensive… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.112945*

**Table 2.**

*Comparison of different solar dryers.*

**Figure 2.** *Schematic of open sun drying [8].*

**Figure 4.** *Schematic of the indirect solar dryer [14].*
