Solar Powered Communal Refrigeration

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Tree_Sea.mals plans to partner with local NGOs such as Wings of Empowering Pastoralists to build awareness before distributing the product directly to consumers.^{Interview with Representative in 2020}

Manufacturing/Building Method

Solar mini-grid and refrigeration units are sourced directly from manufacturers. The system will be assembled on sight by Trees_Sea.mals and trained local residents. Assembly of the system requires pole hole mapping, digging, and base preparation.^{Interview with Representative in 2020}

Intellectural Property Type

Other

User Provision Model

Tree_Sea.mals plans to first provide access to electricity through their solar mini-grids as fixed infrastructure. They then plan to partner with local NGOs such as Wings of Empowering Pastoralists and distribute the product directly to consumers. They intend to utilize a Pay-As-You-Store model.^{Interview with Representative in 2020}

Distributions to Date Status

As of May 2020, Tree_Sea.mals has provided electricity to one group of customers using a solar array.

Design Specifications

The Tree_Sea.mals Solar Powered Communal Refrigeration system can provide cold storage for up to 1600 kg/day through the use of a cold room facility and solar PV mini-grid. The solar system consists of 57 x 250 W DC panels and 24 Lithium-ion batteries (900 Ah x 2 V). The solar panels will be backed up by an SMA Tripower 15000TL inverter while the batteries will have 3-SMA Sunny Island 8.0H inverters, each with AC output capacity. Tree_Sea.mals plans to offer cold storage in two different size containers. The external dimensions of the smaller refrigerator measure 6 x 3 x 3 m with the larger container assumed to be double the size. The system will utilize digital hooks for larger carcasses and crates for smaller meat products to assess kg of storage used. Similar to Pay-As-You-Go systems, customers will Pay-As-They-Store per kg/day.^{Interview with Representative in 2020}

Technical Support

Trees_Sea.mal plans to provide technical training following the assembly of refrigeration. Additionally, the system will be managed by two skilled community members. ^{Interview with Representative in 2020} The company sourcing the refrigeration unit, Accent Cooling, provides 24-hour service as well.

Replacement Components

The company sourcing the refrigeration unit, Accent Cooling, provides replacement parts for walls, ceilings, doors, gaskets and door heaters.

Lifecycle

25 years for the mini-grid system, and 10,000 life-cycle capacity for the batteries. Anticipated 25 year lifetime of the solar-refrigeration system.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Each cold storage system was designed to increase slaughter yields by 150% and allow communities to create an inventory management system over time. ^{Interview with Representative in 2020}

Vetted Performance Status

While no third-party testing has been completed, the manufacturer has implemented a 1 kWp prototype for 16 consumers that live in 2 households, and 1 kiosk. Following installation, Tree_Sea.mals plans to track project impacts using an indicator metric tool that they developed.    

Safety

Safety hazards include potential food contamination or expiration that would make consumption potentially dangerous.

Complementary Technical Systems

None

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

The solar system meets the Recommendation Regulatory Practice of KS 1673-12004, KS 1673-2-2003, IEC 62124,2004, and IEC 62548-2016. The building of the system will comply with KS 1878-1-2010 and KS 662-1-2018 standards. Refrigerator complies with the National Construction Authority (Kenya) Certification.