Pulau Pasaran Fish Processing Hub Now Equipped with Smart Solar Dryer Technology

The traditional fish processing centre on Pulau Pasaran, Lampung, has received a technological upgrade with the introduction of a Smart Solar Fish Dryer based on the Internet of Things (IoT) and renewable energy. The innovation was developed and implemented by a team of lecturers and students from the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science at Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia (UTI), led by Fenty Ariany, with Suaidah and Aprilia Syah Putri as members. The programme ran from 3 to 20 June 2026 as part of a community service initiative funded by a grant from the Directorate of Research and Community Service (DPPM) of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology.

The Smart Solar Fish Dryer utilises solar panels as its primary energy source, converting solar radiation into electricity to power the drying system. The device integrates IoT technology through an ESP32 microcontroller, allowing it to operate automatically. A load cell sensor monitors the weight of the fish during the drying process, and the data is processed to determine the optimal drying condition. Once the target weight reduction is achieved, the system can provide automatic notifications, ensuring standardised product quality and reducing reliance on direct sunlight and manual labour.

In addition to the hardware, the team introduced a digital business management application to help the Kelompok Usaha Bahari (Bahari Business Group) streamline their operations. The app facilitates the recording of sales, customer data, and automated transaction reports, shifting the group from traditional bookkeeping to a more efficient digital system. Toto Heriyanto, head of the business group, expressed appreciation for the technology, noting that it addresses the long-standing challenge of weather dependency and significantly improves production efficiency and product quality. The initiative is expected to serve as a model for modernising fish processing industries in other coastal communities.