Performance Evaluation of a Small-Scale Solar Driven Refrigeration System

Abstract

The conventional refrigeration systems use fossil fuels for their energy inputs. Due to the growing environmental degradation and fossil fuel depletion issues, energy supply from alternative sources is gaining huge attention. Solar driven refrigeration system, which uses solar energy as its energy input, not only addresses these challenges and but also enhances sustainable development. In this work, we have developed a small-scale solar driven refrigeration system by combining several components such as a solar panel, a charge controller, a compressor, an inverter, an evaporator-tank, a condenser and a few connection wiring. We have operated the system for several days to check its functionality and performance. During operation, we have measured solar panel’s current and voltage with a 5-minute interval to calculate power that has been supplied as an input to the compressor. The evaporator coils pass through the water tank to cool down water to a desired temperature (i.e. 4 ºC). The temperature of the evaporator and condenser was also recorded for calculating the cooling effect created by the refrigerant R-134a. We have calculated coefficient of performance (COP) of the system for both actual cooling load of water and cooling effect created by the refrigerant. The refrigeration system successfully operates with an actual COP of 0.95. Despite the COP is low, the solar driven refrigeration system, which does not require any fuel, is a promising option in regard to both environment and economic aspects