there were no mainstream commercial products specifically known as "solar-powered clothes dryers" in the traditional sense. Traditional clothes dryers typically use electricity or natural gas as their primary energy source.
However, there are alternative and more eco-friendly methods for drying clothes that take advantage of solar energy:
Outdoor Clotheslines: The most basic form of solar-powered clothes drying involves using a clothesline or a drying rack outdoors. By hanging clothes in direct sunlight, they can be naturally dried by the sun's heat and wind.
Solar Clothes Dryer Systems: Some innovative companies and DIY enthusiasts have explored the concept of using solar thermal technology to create solar-powered clothes dryers. These systems use solar collectors to heat air, which is then directed into the dryer drum to dry the clothes. However, these systems are not widely available commercially and may be more common in niche markets.
It's worth noting that traditional clothes dryers, whether electric or gas-powered, can consume a significant amount of energy. Using outdoor clotheslines or exploring solar-powered drying systems can be more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly alternatives.
Since my information might be outdated, I recommend conducting further research or checking with appliance manufacturers for any recent developments in solar-powered clothes drying technologies.