This review article provides a comprehensive analysis of the technical advancements and research trends in solar drying technologies for agricultural products. The study encompasses various innovations in energy storage systems, including phase change materials (PCMs) and the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for optimizing the drying process. Through a bibliometric analysis of 126 scientific papers published between 1984 and 2024, five major research clusters were identified: energy generation, heat transfer, thermal storage, simulation modeling, and the integration of hybrid systems. The results demonstrate a marked increase in scientific output over the past decade, emphasizing a growing interest in the sustainable use of solar energy for drying applications. Key findings highlight that while PCM-based storage solutions significantly enhance the thermal stability of dryers, the high implementation costs and technical complexities limit their adoption, especially in small-scale operations. Similarly, CFD models have proven effective in optimizing air and temperature distribution within dryers; however, their performance is hindered by real-world fluctuations in solar radiation and humidity levels. To address these limitations, future research should focus on the development of cost-effective PCM materials and the improvement of CFD models for dynamic environmental conditions. The review concludes by emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in the design and application of these technologies, recommending the inclusion of real-world case studies to better illustrate the practical implications and economic benefits of solar drying technologies for agricultural production.

This study addresses solar energy applications in protected agriculture, focusing on greenhouses and related technologies. A bibliometric and technical analysis is developed, covering research published between 1976 and 2024, to identify the main trends and challenges in the use of solar energy in controlled environments. The methodology was based on the PRISMA approach, using the Scopus database to retrieve relevant documents. From an initial total of 221 documents, 216 were selected after a filtering and debugging process, ensuring the relevance of the final set. In the analytical phase, the results showed a moderate growth of 3.68% in the annual publication rate, highlighting the impact of research on solar energy’s application to air conditioning and energy efficiency in greenhouses. Most of the studies reviewed feature hybrid systems that combine solar energy with other resources, and we highlight both advances in climate control through artificial intelligence and the implementation of photovoltaic and thermal technologies to improve the energy efficiency of agricultural systems. The results also underline the importance of tomato cultivation in the selected studies, reflecting its global economic impact. The conclusions highlight the need for the further integration of energy storage and desalination technologies, especially in arid regions with high solar irradiation, to ensure the sustainability of greenhouses. It is proposed that future research should address the wider implementation of hybrid systems and advanced climate control technologies, optimizing both the use of energy resources and the performance of crops under cover. In addition, it is recommended that international collaboration be strengthened to address technical and climatic challenges in protected agriculture and to expand the adoption of innovative solutions in different geographical contexts.

En Colombia, la producción de panela es una de las agroindustrias más tradicionales que, a pesar de su antigüedad, continúa cumpliendo importantes funciones desde el ámbito social, económico y de seguridad alimentaria. De hecho, la agroindustria panelera es un ejemplo de las llamadas agroindustrias rurales, la cual cuenta con más de 70.000 cultivadores de caña de pequeña a mediana escala, quienes realizan el procesamiento de la caña en cerca de 18.000 trapiches, distribuidos principalmente en los diferentes departamentos de la región Andina del país. Desde el punto de vista social, la panela representa una importante actividad que genera empleo e ingresos a cerca de 350.000 personas, quienes se vinculan como trabajadores en las faenas agrícolas y de molienda. De hecho, la agroindustria panelera se sigue considerando la segunda actividad generadora de empleo en las áreas rurales del país, después de la producción de café.En este documento se presenta el modelo productivo de caña de azúcar destinada a la producción de panela en el departamento de Cundinamarca, el cual incluye la descripción de las áreas de cultivo, la descripción de la especie, los requerimientos climáticos y de suelo, la descripción de la tecnología y recomendaciones para el manejo del cultivo de la caña, la cosecha, la postcosecha y la transformación en panela, brindando a su vez algunos indicadores técnicos, económicos y ambientales de la producción panelera en el departamento.

Food losses in developing countries occur predominantly during harvest and post-harvest stages due to inadequate infrastructure for processing agricultural produce into value-added products with an extended shelf life. Dehydration represents an effective method for preserving and enhancing the value of fruits and vegetables; however, conventional techniques entail significant energy expenditure, necessitating research into more sustainable and efficient processes. Solar dehydration emerges as a particularly suitable method due to its ability to utilize renewable energy resources, despite persistent technical constraints limiting its widespread implementation. This study presents the design, construction, and performance evaluation of a novel solar dryer incorporating both a drying chamber and an integrated photovoltaic system. The photovoltaic component powers a mechanical system that facilitates the removal of exhaust air, the introduction of fresh air, and homogeneous air circulation through the induction of turbulent flow patterns within the chamber. The results demonstrate that the optimal drying efficiency in solar dehydration systems is primarily contingent upon effective air homogenization and the systematic removal of moisture-laden air. The findings suggest that optimized solar dehydration technology can be considered as a technically viable and economically beneficial approach to mitigating post-harvest losses while simultaneously enhancing agricultural economic sustainability in developing regions.

The growing demand for sustainable energy sources has intensified research on the valorization of biomass residues as feedstocks for energy production. This scoping review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent technological approaches for converting coconut and açaí residues into energy carriers and bioenergy products. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. In addition to synthesizing the existing literature, this study evaluates the technology readiness level (TRL) of the reported conversion pathways based on the experimental evidence provided in the reviewed studies. The literature search was conducted using Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect, focusing on peer-reviewed publications between 2015 and 2025 that reported experimental or pilot-scale research on thermochemical, chemical, and physical conversion processes for coconut and açaí residues. The TRL assessment indicates that most technologies remain at laboratory validation stages, with only a limited number reaching pilot or prototype demonstration levels. Nevertheless, several pathways—particularly thermochemical and densification processes—show promising potential for decentralized bioenergy applications. These findings are especially relevant for regions where coconut and açaí value chains generate significant volumes of agricultural residues. Their valorization could support decentralized energy systems, improve residue management, and contribute to sustainable bioeconomy strategies. Overall, this review identifies the main technological advances, limitations, and research gaps associated with the energy conversion of coconut and açaí residues, providing insights for future technological development and deployment.