1. Product Basics
What is a Synnefa Smart Solar Dryer & How it Works?
The Synnefa Solar Dryer uses clean solar energy to efficiently and hygienically dry large volumes of produce, minimizing post-harvest losses while preserving product quality. Built as a tunnel-style greenhouse, it uses a direct drying approach where sunlight passes through UV-stabilized coverings into the drying chamber.
The air inside is passively heated by the sun’s rays captured within the greenhouse structure—no external heaters or artificial heat sources are involved. This warm air flows across the drying racks, accelerating moisture evaporation from produce. Solar-powered exhaust fans and roof-mounted ventilators extract humid air and enhance airflow, maintaining consistent drying conditions even during overcast weather. Even in cold weather, the greenhouse retains heat, this is because of the UV-stabilized greenhouse-grade film used in constructing the structure.
FarmShield™ IoT sensors continuously monitor temperature, humidity, and airflow. This data is transmitted to the FarmCloud™ platform, enabling real-time remote monitoring and control. Smart automation adjusts the fan operation based on live sensor readings, ensuring optimal drying efficiency.
Why is a smart solar dryer important?
Every year, farmers across Africa lose between 30–50% of their harvest due to poor drying methods. Traditional sun drying exposes crops to pests, dust, and elements including rain and can take from multiple days up to weeks depending on the crop. Verified field data shows that Synnefa’s Smart Solar Dryers reduce drying time by up to 35%, for example, cutting coffee drying time from 7–14 days when sun drying, down to 3–6 days using the solar dryer. All this while keeping produce clean, safe, protected from the elements.
What makes Synnefa smart Solar dryers different?
Faster drying time by up to 35% compared to sun drying.
Enclosed space prevents contamination
Remote monitoring through IoT sensors, smart fan control using Farmshield and sensors to maintain a microenvironment that ensures consistent drying.
Smart fan control using FarmShield and sensors to maintain microenvironment ensures consistent drying
Alerts on extreme temperature and humidity in drying chamber
Flexible ownership and Payment plans: full ownership or rent-to-own payment options
2. Use Cases & What You Can Dry
What can I dry?
Coffee (cherries and beans)
Peanuts and groundnuts
Fruits (mango, banana, pineapple, etc)
Vegetables (chili, tomato, okra)
Grains (maize, rice, sorghum)
Herbs (moringa, mint, basil, lemongrass)
Pyrethrum
Sea Weed
Food grade stainless steel racks are used to ensure food products dried in the solar drier are not contaminated.
How much produce can it dry?
From 330kg to 4000kg per drying cycle depending on the size.
Who is this dryer for?
Smallholder farmers
Cooperatives
Enterprises
Women’s and youth groups
Agribusinesses that want higher quality and less wastage
3. Technical specifications of the smart solar dryer
1. Greenhouse Structure & Build
Dimensions: available sizes (W x L):
4m × 10m
8m × 15m
8m × 30m
16m × 30m
Frame: Galvanized reinforced metallic structure
Covering: UV-stabilized greenhouse-grade film
Design: Tunnel-style greenhouse configuration
Type: Indirect solar dryer
2. Drying Capacity
Fresh produce throughput per solar dryer
4×10M: 330Kg per drying cycle
8×15M: 1000 Kg per drying cycle
8×30M: 2000 Kg per drying cycle
16×30M:4000 Kg per drying cycle
Drying Racks:
Material: Food-grade paint or stainless steel mesh
Configuration: Multi-level trays for optimal airflow and surface area
3. Environmental Control & Monitoring
IoT Monitoring Integration:
1 × FarmShield™ controller with GSM connectivity
3 × ambient temperature & humidity sensors
Real-time airflow, temperature, and humidity monitoring
Data Platform:
12-month access to FarmCloud™ monitoring platform
Remote dashboard and alert notifications
4. Solar Power & Energy Design
Component | 4×10M | 8×15M | 8×30M | 16×30M |
Power source | Solar only | Solar only | Solar only | Solar only |
Solar Panel Array | 700W | 1.05kW | 1.05kW | 1.5kW |
Battery Capacity | 2*24V, 200Ah | 2*24V, 200Ah
| 2*24V, 200Ah | 4*24V, 200Ah |
Inverter (VAC - VDC) | 1000 watts | 1000 watts | 3000 watts | 5000 watts |
Exhaust Fans (quantity) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Cyclones (number) | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
Sensors (air humidity, air temperature, light intensity) | 2 sensor hubs; 6 sensors. | 3 sensor hubs; 9 sensors | 4 sensor hubs; 12 sensors | 8 sensor hubs: 24 sensors |
Drying Racks Specifications | pcs: 8 3m(L) *1m(W)*1.6M(H) | 16 3m(L) *1m(W) *1.6m (H) | 16 13m(L) *1.2m(W)* 1.8m(H) | 32 13m(L)*1.2m(w) *1.8m(H) |
Auxiliary add-ons | 2 twin sockets | 3 twin sockets | 3 twin sockets | 4 twin sockets |
| 8*15m | 8*30m |
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fans | 2 x 175W | 2*370W |
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cyclone | 2 x 600mm SS |
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load | 780W |
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battery | 4.8kWh |
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panel |
| 3*350W |
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inverter | 2000 | 3000W |
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4. Pricing & ROI
Rent-to-Own Payment plan.
Payments are made in installments. Once all payments are done, you own the solar dryer fully.
Solar Dryer Size | Monthly Fee | Suitable Farmer number | Monthly Fee per Farmer |
4×10M | Ksh 59,000 | 500 | Ksh 100 |
8×15M | Ksh 85,000 | 2,000 | Ksh 43 |
8×30M | Ksh 110,000 | 5,000 | Ksh 22 |
16×30M | Ksh 179,000 | 12,000 | Ksh 15 |
Full Ownership Plan
One time payment upfront and you own the solar dryer immediately
Solar Dryer Size | One time Fee | Suitable Farmer number | One Time Fee per Farmer |
4×10M | Ksh 638,000 | 500 | Ksh 1072 |
8×15M | Ksh 1,159,600 | 2000 | Ksh 572 |
8×30M | Ksh 1,764,550 | 5000 | Ksh 353 |
16×30M | Ksh 3,455,100 | 12,000 | Ksh 288 |
5. Installation, Maintenance & Technical Support
Installation: Synnefa offers full installation and training- turnkey professional setup
Training: On-site operator training included
Maintenance
1-year warranty
Quarterly preventive maintenance visits
Readily available corrective maintenance and repairs within 7 days of recurring issues.
Technical Support: 24/7 phone and SMS assistance for urgent issues
6. FAQ
Will the solar dryer stop working in cloudy weather or at night?
The solar dryer runs continuously using solar panels and batteries. Its insulated design and sensors control humidity, ensuring consistent drying even in poor weather or at night by preventing moisture buildup.
Additional heat in the dryer
The dryer does not have an external heat source to increase the temperature within the drying chamber. The Synnefa smart solar dryer utilizes insulating materials, such as a UV-stabilized greenhouse-grade film cover, to maintain internal temperatures generated from partial heating by the sun’s radiation. The chamber floor is lined with dam liner, which absorbs and retains solar heat on sunny days. It also acts as a seal, preventing warm air from escaping and cold air from entering, thereby keeping the chamber warmer for extended periods, which facilitates faster and more even drying.
How will I monitor the sensor data or conditions within the greenhouse?
Synnefa provides you access to a dashboard where you can view data from your sensors like ambient humidity and ambient temperature, and fan activity within the drying chamber in real time. Synnefa is also working on incorporating this data on FarmCloud.
Will the system use electricity and drive up my electricity bill?
No. The solar dryer is 100% off grid and relies solely on solar energy.
Can I dry more than one type of crop?
Yes. The Smart Solar Dryer is multi-use. It can dry a variety of products. You can also switch between crops depending on the season or market demand.
It is advisable to dry one type of product at a time to avoid cross contamination.
Isn’t it too expensive?
It’s an investment that pays for itself in 12-18 months through reduced losses and better market prices because of better produce quality. The payment plans are flexible such as the rent-to-own option.
Is this just another greenhouse? What’s the difference?
No. It’s specially designed for drying since it has:
Automated fans for air circulation
Sensors for temperature and humidity monitoring
Smart dashboards to monitor and track drying performance
All of this creates a controlled drying environment that’s faster, cleaner and more consistent than traditional greenhouses or open-air drying.
What if I live in a remote area will it still work?
Yes, the solar dryer is built for off-grid and rural areas. The dryer is solar-powered and doesn't rely on electricity. Plus, the integrated FarmShield™ smart controller uses cellular connectivity, allowing remote monitoring and alerts even in remote areas.
It looks too high-tech. Will I need special training to operate it?
Not at all. We designed the smart dryer with simplicity in mind. It comes with a user-friendly dashboard to monitor remotely. The technical team installing it provides a hands-on demo and training during installation. Once set up, it runs with minimal input needed. The Synnefa team is still available for support where you need it.
What if something breaks down; do I have to fix it myself?
No. Synnefa provides after-sales support, routine quarterly preventive maintenance checks and round the clock technical support
Synnefa also provides a 1-year warranty on the Solar dryer structure that covers for damage incurred during installation or for faulty products. This warranty however, does not cover damage incurred from misuse, neglect or exposure to adverse conditions.
ANNEX
UV Ultraviolet (specification of greenhouse polythene)
HVAC Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
IoT Internet of Things
GSM Global System for Mobile Communication
RoI Return on Investment
kW Kilo watts