Abstract: The present invention provides an improved solar dryer with improved. The dryer consists of a solar absorber/collector (9) and a drying chamber (6). One end of the collector is connected to a forced draft fan (10) and the other end connects the drying chamber. The drying chamber has a drawer in which the material to be dried is kept on a wire mesh. The dryer further has the provision for placing color indicative silica gel under the wire mesh when operated in recirculation mode. The other end of the drying chamber has an induced draft fan (11). Both the dc fans operate using a 10 watt photovoltaic panel (3). V-trough reflectors (4,5,7,8) made from anodized aluminum are fixed on the collector and optionally on the drying chamber. A tracking circuit is incorporated to auto-track the dryer. A locking mechanism (14) is also incorporated to help the unit withstand high wind load.