Feasibility of Solar Dryers in Algeria: Economic and Environmental Analysis
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Abstract
This work offers a practical technical-economic analysis of solar drying for two agricultural products: potatoes and plums. The study is applied to an Indirect Hybrid Solar Dryer (IHSD) equipped with electrical heater for adapted temperature control and built in Constantine (Algeria), using locally available materials and tools. The economic analysis focused on capital and operational costs, drying capacity, and the payback period, demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of solar drying for both products, with notably shorter payback periods for plums. Environmental assessments included the calculation of embodied energy and CO2 emissions, revealing low environmental impacts and significant CO2 mitigation benefits. The findings underscore the economic viability and environmental advantages of solar drying in Algeria, emphasizing its potential as a sustainable preservation method for agricultural products. This study highlights the importance of integrating supplementary energy sources to mitigate solar intermittency, ensuring quality drying processes, and supporting the broader adoption of solar drying technologies in similar high solar potential regions.
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