Current status of large-scale solar dryers in Cambodia: Operations, potential, and economic benefits of solar dryer domes

Abstract

Drying is commonly applied for preserving both freshwater and marine products for long-term use. In Cambodia, solar dryer domes (SDD) are constructed for large-scale processing, but the impacts of operation and maintenance on their lifespans are not well understood. Thus, this study aimed to (1) explore the characteristics of using SDDs and (2) determine the prospects and challenges related to the use of solar dryers for aquatic products. The study was conducted between March and July 2024 through a survey targeting fish processors that utilized SDDs and agreed to participate in the interviews. Because the number of SDDs available nationwide is small (< 25 units), the total sample size selected for the survey was only 8. The interviews were carried out in 4 provinces, focusing on topics such as annual processing production, SDD operation and maintenance (O&M), and additional sources of energy to support the system. The results show that SDDs were used not only for drying fresh fish but also for drying smoked fish and shrimp. Dried fish production was the largest (145.2 tons/year), 8.8–11.7 times greater than other production. With SDDs, products could be dried year-round, but gas heating systems were required to provide additional heat inside SDDs during cold seasons or cloudy days. Electrical fans were also added because of insufficient air circulations that might create moisture under the roofs. All the respondents were willing to continue using SDDs, expand production, and use their own budget to make more installations in case additional grid electricity was not required. It can be concluded that with the use of solar dryers, and fish/shrimp processing can be done at a large scale, but improvements in air circulation are needed to enhance the system’s effectiveness and efficiency. Furthermore, additional O&M training should be provided to ensure higher efficiency.