Assessment of a Modular Solar-Powered Cooling System Integrated with a DC-Remote Monitoring and Control System for Fruits and Vegetables Storage

Abstract

This study examines the applicability of solar energy for cooling in the tropical climate and focuses on the performance assessment of a modular solar-powered cooling system (MSPCS), integrated with a DC-Remote monitoring and control (RMC) system, installed on a 10 m³ cooling chamber for the storage of fruits and vegetables. The RMC capability to stabilise the MSPCS operation was assessed through real-time monitoring and control of system parameters, including temperature and relative humidity, water chiller temperature, and DC voltage utilisation by the components. This was achieved by connecting sensors for monitoring via an internet-enabled data box linked to a PC dashboard. The system cooling performance was assessed by measuring chamber temperature, humidity, voltage consumption and weight loss of the stored produce. The results demonstrated effective tracking/control of the system parameters and enhanced activation of components to stabilize the operation of the entire cooling system at temperature of (8.40 ±0.455a °C), relative humidity of (88.91 ±1.571 %) inside the cooling chamber, the water chiller temperature at (2.75 ±1.25 °C) and system voltage (25.61±0.033 V) at no-load and loading conditions. The integration of the DC-RMC system significantly enhanced both the cooling chamber's thermal performance and the overall voltage efficiency of the system, resulting in 20% physiological weight loss and a delay in ripening by 10 days for stored tomatoes in the solar cold room as against 75 % and 7 days, respectively from the ambient over 14 days. of storage.