Solar Dryers
Stop losing produce. Start adding value
Kenyan farmers lose a significant portion of their produce to spoilage every harvest season. IrriHub solar dryers allow farmers to harness the power of the sun to remove moisture from produce in a clean, controlled environment, dramatically extending the shelf life of the harvest while protecting it from dust, insects, rain, and contamination. This results in less waste, better quality, and access to markets and price points that fresh produce simply cannot reach.
Solar drying is one of the most powerful value-addition tools available to smallholder and commercial farmers alike, with dried produce fetching significantly higher prices than their fresh counterparts. Drying also means such produce can be sold weeks or months after harvest, when supply is low and prices are high.
At IrriHub Kenya, our solar dryers are fabricated from galvanized steel and covered with 200-micron UV-treated greenhouse polythene—the same high-quality materials we use across all our climate-smart structures. Each unit is fitted with internal shelves at multiple levels, a black heat-absorbing internal floor, and ventilation inlets and outlets that maintain the airflow needed for fast, even drying. Every dryer is custom-fabricated to suit your produce type, your drying volume, and your farm setup.
How It Works
IrriHub’s solar dryers follow a simple, effective, and entirely solar-powered working principle:
- Sunlight enters the dryer through the transparent UV-treated polythene cover, heating the air inside
- The black interior floor absorbs solar radiation and converts it into heat, raising internal temperatures further
- Hot air flows across the produce on the drying shelves, drawing out moisture
- Moist air exits through ventilation outlets at the top, replaced by fresh incoming air
- The cycle continues throughout the day, drying produce faster and more evenly than open-air sun drying, while keeping it fully protected
Features
- Galvanized metallic structure – strong, rust-resistant, and built for Kenya’s outdoor conditions
- 200-micron UV-treated greenhouse polythene cover with anti-drip properties, preventing condensation dripping onto produce
- Black heat-absorbing interior floor for maximum heat gain
- Multi-level drying shelves for high-capacity drying per session
- Ventilation inlets and outlets for controlled airflow and moisture extraction
- Custom-fabricated to your produce type, volume, and site requirements
- Available as passive (natural circulation) or active/hybrid (fan-assisted) configurations
Passive Vs Active Solar Dryers
Passive (Natural Circulation)
Active / Hybrid
How it works
Solar heat alone drives airflow
Solar-powered fans force air circulation
Best for
Standard drying in sunny conditions
Faster drying, large volumes, or cloudy seasons
Drying time
1 – 3 days
Up to 40% faster than passive
Continuous drying
Daytime only
Can be configured for day and night drying
Cost
Lower
Higher, but higher output quality
Benefits
- Reduces post-harvest losses — protect your harvest from spoilage, insects, dust, and rain
- Extends shelf life to months — sell when prices are highest, not when you're forced to
- Adds value to your produce — dried fruits, vegetables, herbs, and grains command premium prices in local and export markets
- Faster drying — 1–2 days compared to 7+ days in open-air sun drying
- Safe, clean drying — anti-drip polythene cover and enclosed structure eliminate contamination
- Moisture content below 12% — meets food safety and export quality standards
- Entirely solar-powered — no fuel, no electricity bills, no running costs
- Aflatoxin prevention — proper drying of grains prevents the dangerous mold growth that makes produce unsellable
What’s Included
- Custom-fabricated galvanized steel dryer structure
- 200-micron UV-treated anti-drip greenhouse polythene cover
- Black heat-absorbing interior floor
- Multi-level drying shelves
- Ventilation inlet and outlet system
- Professional installation by IrriHub’s trained technicians
- Farmer training on operation, produce preparation, and maintenance
Services
- Site visit and assessment before fabrication
- Full installation and handover training
- After-sales support from the IrriHub team
Pricing
IrriHub solar dryers are custom-fabricated to your specific drying needs. Size and price are determined by:
- The type of produce you plan to dry
- The volume or weight of produce per drying season
- Whether you need a passive or hybrid configuration
Contact us or book a site visit for a full assessment and personalized quote.
IrriHub Kenya – Kilimani, Ndemi Road (Next to Dima Driving School). Phone: +254 732 957 984, +254 112 148 880
Part of the IrriHub Climate-Smart Farming System; Pair with our Greenhouses or Shade Houses for protected crop production, and our Drip Kits for efficient water delivery throughout the growing season.
