Solar curing and drying structure and method of utilizing solar energy associated with available solar radiation in curing and drying various materials

A solar curing and drying structure adapted to utilize solar energy associated with available solar radiation transmitted into the structure for curing and drying material disposed within said structure, said solar curing and drying structure comprising:

• A. an outer structural housing including a substantial area of transparent material for transmitting available solar radiation and the energy associated therewith into said structure;
• B. collector means disposed interiorly of said outer structural housing for absorbing solar energy transmitted through said transparent material of said outer structural housing;
• C. said collector means defining a drying area inwardly thereof and an open area between said collector means and said outer structural housing;
• D. a forced air furnace system associated with said structure for forcing air through said material being cured and dried within said drying area, said forced air furnace system including an air intake area and heating means associated therewith for heating air passing through said furnace system as necessary to maintain an appropriate temperature level within said curing and drying structure;
• E. opening means formed within said outer structural housing adjacent the open area between said collector means and said outer housing structure;
• and
• F. means for directing a system of air from outside of said curing and drying structure through said opening means and through a substantial area between said outer structural housing and said collector means where heat associated with collected solar energy may be transferred to said air passing therethrough, said means for directing said system of air further including means for routing said system of air from said open area defined between said collector means and said outer structural housing to the vicinity of said furnace system where said system of air or portions thereof may enter the intake area of said furnace system and be utilized in curing and drying the material within said curing and drying structure.