Feasibility study of a solar photovoltaic adaptable refrigeration kit for remote areas in developing countries

Abstract

The work presents the feasibility study of an assembly-kit of a standalone DC solar refrigerator powered by PV energy, suitable for food conservation in rural villages with a specific focus on tropical-equatorial belt of Africa. The PV+refrigeration unit+controller is thought as a highly reliable, efficient, maintenance-free and durable package to be provided to the local users; the thermally-insulated envelope equipped with an energy storage system, instead, is designed to be constructed on-site, using local materials, and assembled with the package provided, according to guidelines resulting from the research activities. The preliminary assessment presented in the work allowed to identify the best components and solutions considering the analyzed application context. In particular, through the defined energy model and the carried out simulation it was possible to identify the optimal size of the refrigerated volume, of the energy storage and of the PV section.