Design and Development of Solar Powered Low-Cost Cold Storage System for Agricultural Products

Abstract

The research describes an affordable solar-powered cold storage system whose primary goal is to decrease agricultural post-harvest losses of perishable food items. When integrated, the solar PV array and battery storage, together with a DC-powered compressor and automated control unit form an energy-efficient sustainable solution for rural off-grid smallholder farmers. The cold storage unit achieved its designed function by preserving optimal temperature and humidity requirements to protect agricultural products such as tomatoes, potatoes, along leafy greens, thus enabling longer shelf life and preventing spoilage. Time-sensitive monitoring from internal environmental sensors that utilize temperature and humidity sensors provides real-time control of storage conditions, which are viewable through a mobile application. During performance evaluations, the storage temperature range between 3°C to 10°C stayed consistent despite tropical environmental conditions that exceeded 35°C. The financial analysis confirmed feasibility because the system generates sufficient returns on investment within 2-3 years because it prevents food waste and enhances market opportunities. The majority of farmers alongside agricultural coop members supported the system through their survey responses because they found its automated monitoring elements and user-friendly interface appealing. The solar-powered cold storage system shows promise as an economically sustainable system that achieves two important goals by reducing traditional energy dependence and diminishing post-harvest product losses to bolster smallholder farmers’ economic success.