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Smart Solar Crop Dryer

Versions and roadmap

Every version of the dryer we have built, and the one we are designing now. Drawings are illustrations, not to scale.

  1. Computer render of the Version 1 concept: a square drying box on four legs

    Version 1 · 2023-2024

    Built

    Designed in 2023 and built in 2024. Our first build proved the drying concept and set the direction for every version after it.

  2. Version 2: a black oven-style cabinet with its door open, showing the tray racks

    Version 2 · 2025

    Built

    Designed and built in 2025. It made the dryer durable and easy to handle and use, and we proved its fabrication and everyday use in the lab. An oven layout with 8 trays, holding 300 kg and drying a batch in about 6 hours.

  3. A Version 3 stainless steel dryer body in the workshop

    Version 3 · 2025-2026

    Built

    The version in service today: 7 stainless steel trays holding 250 kg, ready for use in the field and tested in Narok County.

  4. See the two layouts below

    Version 4 · 2026

    In design

    Being designed and built now, in two layouts, an oven and a drum. We will build both and deploy whichever suits each site.

From the workshop

Building Version 3

Welding the stainless steel frame, the finished body, the trays and fan inside, and the dryer with its solar panel.

  • Welding the stainless steel frame of a Version 3 dryer
  • A finished Version 3 stainless steel body in the workshop
  • Inside a Version 3 dryer: stainless steel trays with the fan at the top
  • A Version 3 dryer beside the solar panel that powers it

From the workshop

Building Version 2

Building and testing Version 2, the black oven-style cabinet, with grain on the trays and live readings.

  • Two trays of grain loaded on the racks inside the Version 2 cabinet
  • The Version 2 controller circuit board with its sensor leads connected
  • Checking grain on a tray with a handheld moisture meter
  • A laptop showing live dryer readings, with the battery and solar panels beside it

Version 4, in design and build

Two layouts, and we are building both

We will deploy whichever layout suits each site. Talk to us if you would like Version 4 at yours.

Oven layout

Concept
1 2 3 4 5 6
  1. Solar panel charges the battery
  2. Trays hold the crop in thin layers
  3. Fan draws moist air out
  4. Heater for cloudy days
  5. Temperature and humidity sensors
  6. Controller and battery

Drum layout

Concept
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
  1. Crop goes in through the hopper
  2. The drum turns so all the grain meets the air
  3. Fan and heater push warm air in
  4. Motor and belt turn the drum
  5. Temperature and humidity sensors
  6. Solar panel, controller and battery
  7. Moist air leaves here

Funders and engineers: talk to us about Version 4

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