This paper presents an experimental
analysis to investigate the performance of a novel mixed
mode solar greenhouse dryer with forced convection which
was used to dry red pepper. The drier consisted of a flat
plate solar collector and a chapel-shaped greenhouse. The
drying rate in the solar greenhouse dryer could be much
higher than that for the open air sun drying. The present
drying system practically shortens the drying time of red
pepper and grape by 7 hours. The experimental drying
curves show only the falling rate period. The payback
period of the dryer was found to be 1.17 years, much less
than the estimated life of the system (20 years).