Solar-Powered Crop Drying with Automated Temperature and Humidity Control: A Comprehensive Analysis

This article presents the conceptualization and development of an automatic temperature and humidity controlled solar powered crop drying system based on an Arduino Uno microcontroller [1], [2]. The system uses solar energy for power and employs sensors and actuators in combination to provide the best drying conditions in a controlled atmosphere. The main aim is to improve the quality and uniformity of stored agricultural products by optimized drying. The article features a critical overview of existing literature on solar drying of crops, a step by step explanation of the proposed model, design parameters, and comparative analysis with other conventional drying processes. Emphasis is given to energy efficiency, operational viability, and cost effectiveness. The system shows the potential of large scale solar drying to minimize post harvest losses with the benefits of reduced drying times, improved product quality, and lower operating expenses as compared to open air or fuel based drying.