CONA has been developing solar fruit dryers since 1998, which are continuously being further developed. However, these solar fruit dryers are not only used to dry fruit, but are highly versatile and can be used for drying fruits, herbs, spices, medicinal plants, as well as fish and meat. Consequently, more than 250 different products are dried with numerous CONA drying systems in over 50 countries.
What makes solar drying by CONA so special:
- Securing the entire harvest of a season and making it available for a later time.
- Color, taste, aroma, and nutrients are preserved thanks to the light-protected drying chamber.
- An extremely uniform drying result is achieved through optimized horizontal drying. No turning or rearrangement is necessary within a drying chamber.
- It is possible to obtain a 100% natural product without additives.
- The use of high-quality materials such as stainless steel and glass enables production under hygienic conditions. This is important for marketing and for obtaining the relevant certificates and permits.
- The investment costs of the system amortize very quickly due to the low operating costs.
- The entire drying system is designed for solar operation and features highly energy-saving and efficient technology.
Solar fruit drying is also increasingly being used by large companies producing for export. Optimal planning in advance is crucial for this.
For further information, please contact us.
Advantages
Preservation without additives, sugar, or chemicals:
This form of high-quality drying—using efficient solar technology in protected drying chambers equipped with stainless steel screens, air filters, and insect protection—enables preservation without additives, sugar, or chemicals.
The drying of fruits in CONA solar drying systems allows:
- Securing the entire harvest of a season and making it available for a later time.
- Color, taste, aroma, and nutrients are preserved thanks to the light-protected drying chamber.
- An extremely uniform drying result is achieved through optimized horizontal drying. No turning or rearrangement is necessary within a drying chamber.
- It is possible to obtain a 100% natural product without additives.
- The use of high-quality materials such as stainless steel and glass enables production under hygienic conditions. This is important for marketing and for obtaining the relevant certificates and permits.
- The investment costs of the system amortize very quickly due to the low operating costs.
- The entire drying system is designed for solar operation and features highly energy-saving and efficient technology.
Advantages of solar technology:
- Minimal energy and maintenance costs after the initial investment.
- The use of solar energy strengthens sustainable economic management.
- Solar energy is environmentally friendly and causes no CO2 emissions.
- Other energy that is non-renewable is saved.
- Climate protection is a factor that is becoming increasingly important.
References
Here we present a selection of our references.
We are happy to send you a list of references in your area.
Our larger solar fruit drying systems are mainly in use in Latin America.
Smaller models can also be viewed by appointment at our location in Ried im Traunkreis.
Solar cherry drying in Switzerland
Using the SF100 solar dryer model for a wide variety of fruits. Here, cherries are dried specifically, but also many flowers and herbs for further processing into natural cosmetics and similar products.
If you’re interested, feel free to browse Ms. Stuber’s website as well.
Semi-industrial solar drying system SF400 for moringa drying in Cuba
In September 2016, the 5th solar drying system from CONA went into operation in Cuba, specifically for moringa. At the Finlay Institute, moringa is dried in the best quality for moringa tea, moringa powder, and moringa capsules.
The drying system for moringa has 60 m² of solar collector area installed on the roof of the building, giving it a peak thermal output of approx. 43 kW.
Inside the processing building, 2 drying lines of the SF400 model were installed.
Each line has 4 stainless steel mesh carts, onto which the moringa leaves can be loaded directly during processing straight onto the drying carts. This also ensures practical and especially hygienic work.
We would be happy to explain the many other advantages of this system to you in person.
Solar drying in Bolivia at around 4,000 m above sea level
3 drying systems were recently commissioned in Bolivia. The first test dryings were already carried out with great enthusiasm.
These are the first drying systems at an altitude of around 4,000 meters!!!
Country-specific products such as llama meat, sheep, and many tropical fruits have already been dried.
The Austrian organization INTERSOL http://www.intersol.at/ organized the project on-site, and their staff commissioned and handed over the systems.
We wish continued success with the systems!
FAQ
The drying time depends on the product. Herbs require about 5 hours of sunshine for drying, fruits 8–12 hours of sunshine, and fish and meat 10–14 hours of sunshine.
An evenly cut product is essential for a good result.
For this, it is important that the material to be dried is protected from light and dried gently. This is offered with all solar drying models from CONA, even the small ones.
All parts are completely prefabricated and largely pre-assembled to enable quick assembly within a few hours. Detailed, illustrated assembly instructions are included.
Both the solar system and the drying system are made of high-quality materials such as stainless steel, glass, and waterproof glued wooden parts. All materials used are designed for a long lifespan.
The maintenance effort for the solar drying systems is very low. Only the collector surfaces need to be cleaned of dirt from time to time to ensure the optimal efficiency of the solar system. If the system is exposed to the weather unprotected, the outside of the drying chamber may need to be repainted after a few years.
The system can easily be operated economically in these countries as well. Good utilization of the system during the sunny months is important. From late spring to the beginning of autumn, the system can be loaded with various fruits and berries, such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, gooseberries, apricots, plums, apples, and pears. In addition to fruits, garden herbs, medicinal herbs, spices, and nuts can also be dried.