The Energy Commission has announced that the solar dehydrator developed by Apagya Senior High School, the winners of the 2022 Renewable Energy Challenge, is in its final stages before being introduced for commercial use.

This solar dehydrator is designed to dry crops using the power of the sun, which can help reduce food waste and improve food preservation in Ghana.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Bernice Nortey, a Renewable Energy Regulation Officer, explained the partnership between the Energy Commission and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

This collaboration ensures that winning projects, like the solar dehydrator, are developed for the market. Nortey explained that CSIR follows a strict process to ensure that projects like the solar dehydrator are ready for commercial use.

“CSIR goes through a series of steps to make sure a project is market-ready, and now the solar dehydrator is in its final stages of commercialisation,” Nortey said.

In addition to the solar dehydrator, another project from Sogakope Senior High School, called Farmer’s Friend, is being developed. This agricultural machine combines five functions in one device and is in the early stages of refinement at CSIR.

Nortey emphasized the need for these projects to be sustainable and practical. “We don’t want these projects to be abandoned after winning. We aim to ensure that they are useful and see the light of day,” she stated.

Furthermore, representatives from the winning teams are given opportunities to apply for internships with CSIR. This allows students to further develop their innovations into practical and commercial products, such as the solar dehydrator.

Caleb Azindow, another Renewable Energy Regulation Officer, talked about the 2024 Renewable Energy Challenge. This year, students from schools across Ghana are being asked to develop renewable energy solutions to combat land degradation and water pollution.

“Each year, we give them a specific focus. This year, we are looking at how renewable energy technologies, such as the solar dehydrator, can help solve land degradation and water pollution problems,” Azindow explained.

The Renewable Energy Challenge is part of a broader effort to involve students in solving environmental problems while promoting the use of sustainable energy.

By focusing on renewable energy technologies like the solar dehydrator, the Energy Commission hopes to inspire young innovators to develop practical solutions for Ghana’s environmental challenges.

In terms of investment, the Ghanaian government has shown significant interest in renewable energy projects. In 2023, the Ministry of Energy allocated over $10 million to support renewable energy initiatives, which includes the development and scaling of solar dehydrators and similar technologies.

This funding helps bring promising innovations to market, ensuring that they can be used to solve real-world issues like food preservation and environmental sustainability.

By encouraging the development of projects like the solar dehydrator, the Energy Commission is not only helping to create jobs but also promoting energy-efficient technologies.

The solar dehydrator can reduce food spoilage by as much as 30%, which is critical for small-scale farmers in rural areas who depend on proper food storage to avoid losses.

The solar dehydrator developed by Apagya Senior High School is not just an academic project; it has the potential to make a big difference in the agriculture industry.

In Ghana, post-harvest losses are a serious issue, with about 30% to 40% of food going to waste due to poor preservation methods.

The solar dehydrator offers a solution by using renewable energy from the sun to dry food products like fruits, vegetables, and grains, reducing spoilage and extending shelf life.

Using a solar dehydrator is also much more cost-effective than traditional drying methods that rely on electricity or fuel-powered machines. Since many rural areas in Ghana face challenges with electricity access, a solar-powered solution is ideal.

Not only does it help preserve food, but it also lowers costs for farmers, increasing their profits. The solar dehydrator is expected to be an affordable technology, making it accessible to small-scale farmers who need it most.

Statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) show that post-harvest losses in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana, cost the region about $4 billion each year.

The introduction of the solar dehydrator could help reduce these losses significantly, ensuring more food reaches the market and reducing the financial burden on farmers.

The project’s success also highlights the importance of engaging young minds in developing renewable energy solutions.

The Energy Commission, through its Renewable Energy Challenge, encourages students to think creatively about how renewable energy can address various problems, from food preservation to environmental conservation.

This initiative is helping to foster a generation of innovators who will contribute to sustainable development in Ghana and beyond.

In addition to the solar dehydrator, the challenge focuses on renewable energy technologies that can help with land degradation and water pollution.

These are two pressing environmental issues that Ghana and many other countries face. By involving students in developing solutions, the Energy Commission hopes to encourage long-term, practical approaches to these problems.

The solar dehydrator is a prime example of how renewable energy can be applied to solve real-world issues, and the Energy Commission is determined to bring such innovations to market.

With continuous support from the government and organizations like the CSIR, the solar dehydrator is set to play an important role in improving food security and promoting sustainable energy use in Ghana.

What is a Solar Dehydrator?

A solar dehydrator is a device that uses the energy from the sun to dry food items. It is designed to remove moisture from fruits, vegetables, and other perishable items to preserve them for longer periods without refrigeration. The solar dehydrator works by using the sun’s heat to evaporate water from the food, leaving it dry and less likely to spoil.

The device typically consists of a drying chamber, trays for the food, and a transparent cover or surface to allow sunlight to enter. Air circulates through the dehydrator, carrying away moisture from the food. Solar dehydrators are eco-friendly because they use renewable energy and don’t require electricity or fuel.

Uses of a Solar Dehydrator

1. Preserving Food
   • The main use of a solar dehydrator is to preserve food. Drying food removes moisture, which prevents the growth of bacteria, yeast, and molds that cause spoilage. This extends the shelf life of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and even meats. Farmers, especially in rural areas, can use solar dehydrators to preserve surplus crops during harvest seasons, reducing food waste and saving money.
2. Saving Energy Costs
   • Solar dehydrators use the sun’s energy, which is free and abundant. This makes them much cheaper to operate compared to electric or gas-powered food dryers. For people living in areas with unreliable or expensive electricity, solar dehydrators offer a cost-effective way to dry food without additional energy expenses.
3. Reducing Food Waste
   • By drying and preserving food, solar dehydrators help reduce food waste. Post-harvest losses, especially in developing countries, can reach up to 30-40% of total production. By using solar dehydrators, farmers can store food for later use, reducing the need to discard spoiled crops.
4. Improving Food Security
   • Solar dehydrators help improve food security by ensuring that food is available even during off-seasons or times when fresh produce is scarce. Dried foods can be stored for months without refrigeration, providing families with a reliable source of nutrition throughout the year.
5. Creating Value-Added Products
   • Farmers and small businesses can use solar dehydrators to create value-added products such as dried fruits, vegetables, and herbs. These products can be sold in local markets or even exported, providing additional income streams for farmers. For example, dried mangoes, pineapples, and tomatoes can fetch higher prices than fresh ones.
6. Environmental Benefits
   • Solar dehydrators promote sustainability because they rely on renewable energy. Unlike electric dryers, they do not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, using solar dehydrators reduces the need for preservatives and additives, resulting in healthier, more natural food products.
7. Educational Tool
   • Solar dehydrators can also be used as educational tools to teach communities about renewable energy and food preservation techniques. Schools and agricultural programs can use solar dehydrators to demonstrate the benefits of solar power and the importance of reducing food waste.

In conclusion, the solar dehydrator project shows how renewable energy can be harnessed to improve the livelihoods of farmers while addressing critical environmental issues.

As the technology moves toward commercial use, it will provide an affordable, sustainable solution to food preservation challenges, benefiting both the agriculture sector and the environment.

The Energy Commission’s Renewable Energy Challenge, with projects like the solar dehydrator, continues to pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future for Ghana.