<p>The study is concerned with the optimization of performance of solar drying to be carried out on ivy gourd (<i>Coccinia grandis</i>) making use of indirect convection-based technologies. The results of three systems of dryer such as indirect solar dryer (ISD), mixed-type solar dryer (MSD) and greenhouse solar dryer (GSD) were compared based on drying kinetics, product quality, nutrient retention and energy consumption. The effect of four important parameters such as drying temperature, drying time, air velocity and type of dryer used was studied using response surface methodology (RSM). The experimental analysis indicated that the rate of drying was very much enhanced with variation of temperature and the air velocity, the value being high (19.7&#xa0;g h^–1) in the mixed-type dryer. A maximum of nutrient retention (86.2) was achieved at the moderate temperatures and low drying times, more so when the application of energy efficiency with consideration of designs in dryers was adopted. Nonetheless, the increased temperature of drying and an increased time had significant knock-off effects on the heat-sensitive nutrients. The difference in energy consumption across conditions was quite large with a high of 15.7&#xa0;kWh attained at the maximum parameter level. The paper presents essential trade-offs between the consumption of energy and the quality of products. The indirect dryer exhibited a high degree of energy efficiency, and the mixed-type dryer provided relatively high rates of drying with tolerable loss of quality. The greenhouse dryer demonstrated a well-balanced ratio in the quality and sustainability indicators. RSM integrations enabled determination of the best drying conditions, which at the same time consumed minimal energy and preserved maximum nutrients. The study has added a strong framework in the designing and operation of solar drying systems that address various agro-processing requirements, a sustainable, energy-efficient and quality food preservation at post-harvesting.</p>