ABSTRACT
The functioning and economics of devices that employ solar energy depend on solar intensity received on Earth, which is a function of the weather as well as of geographical position. The quantity of solar energy which is received on the surface of the Earth is attenuated by the atmosphere. Some of the investigations carried out by the Instituto de Ingenieria with relation to the utilization of solar energy could have immediate applications in the arid zones of the country. The solar food dryers have a great number of potential applications in underdeveloped countries in order to preserve agricultural products in small rural communities. Solar food dryers can be used to preserve fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and to reduce the time required far drying grains and wood. The direct solar radiation is the solar flux incident onto a surface which has not suffered any change of direction while passing through the atmosphere.
