Guinea-Bissau solar powered cold storage system

Is solar-powered cold storage a viable alternative to conventional cold storage?

Solar-powered cold storage (SCS) is the potential alternative to conventional cold storage systems for F&V preservation, especially in hot and sunny climates. SCSs are energy-efficient, cost-effective, environment-friendly, and highly rural applicable technology, offering a sustainable approach to reduce F&V losses.

How to adopt solar cold storage systems?

Higher initial cost is the primary barrier to the adoption of solar cold storage systems. It can be adopted by the initiation of government incentive policy to promote and adopt the SCSSs. Forming farmer-producer organizations and social groups can reduce the per-person cost of purchasing SCSSs.

Why is solar based cold storage system intervention important?

Solar-based sustainable cold storage system intervention can reduce the environmental impact and energy consumption issues raised due to the demand for cold storage systems . It may also play a vital role in addressing the issue of post-harvest losses at production sites to preserve food security.

How efficient is a solar PV-driven cold storage system?

A refrigeration area of 23.30 m 2 with a 2317.47 W cooling load was air-conditioned with a 3.85 KW cooling capacity system. The efficiency of the developed system was recorded in two modes, 0.7292 and 4.49. In addition, Hu et al. designed the Solar PV-driven cold storage system using ice thermal storage.

What is a hybrid solar cold storage system?

A hybrid system ensures a continuous energy supply when solar power alone is insufficient. Solar cold storage systems require regular maintenance of solar panels, batteries, and cooling units, which can be challenging in remote areas or for users lacking technical expertise. Some SCSSs are technically complex and present lower efficiency.

How does a solar cold storage system work?

To operate a cold storage system, grid electricity must be transported from the power generating source to the application unit, leading to the transmission and distribution loss of electricity. Solar cold storage systems are a decentralized technology that will prevent electricity transmission and distribution losses.