Solar Energy in Food Processing Industries

An increase in the global population has led to a rise in the demand for processed food. The food processing industry transforms raw edible materials into high-valued consumable products. The high cost of conventional fuels, highly energy-intensive processes, and emission of GHGs have oriented the food processing industry toward using alternative energy sources like solar energy. Solar food processing is an emerging technology for a quality product at a low price. Solar energy has vast potential to produce heat which can be utilized in various food processing processes from a low temperature of 100°C to a high temperature up to 250°C. The most common thermal applications are cleaning, boiling, sterilizing, preheating, drying, cooking, and pasteurizing. The chapter presents an overview of energy usage in the various food industry sectors, and the integration of solar technology in the food processing industries is introduced to overcome issues of the energy crisis and environmental problems and for sustainable economic development.