Technical and Economic Requirements for Small-Scale Photovoltaic Refrigerators

Summary

There is a great need for small refrigerators for hospitals and clinics in rural areas in developing countries, but conventionally powered units currently available have a number of disadvantages. Robust and reliable photovoltaic refrigerators could fulfil the need and the main technical requirements are described. The World Health Organisation and the US Government are currently engaged on testing programmes to identify suitable commercial products but it is clear that there is scope for considerable technical improvement. Based on discounted cash flow analyses, photovoltaic refrigerators are shown to be cost competitive with the main alternatives currently available. Large markets are foreseen when suitable systems become available.