Solar powered cold chain

This solution was shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM , 14 May 2021

Print date: 01 March 2025 03:09

Description of the innovative solution

Cold chain Solar energy Postharvest technology Perishable food

Perishable foods, like fruits, vegetable, and animal source foods are nutrient-dense but are spoiled easily when not stored adequately, contributing to food loss and waste and price volatility. Solar powered cold units can prevent this issue in environments where electricity supply is unreliable or limited by improving storage quality and reducing post-harvest losses.

Primary users

Small & medium commercial farmers
Large & industrial farmers
Packaging companies
Distribution centers
Wholesalers
Urban consumers
Food safety & quality assurance agencies

Dietary impact

The availability, quality, safety and consumption of nutrient-dense perishable foods such as fruits, vegetables, dairy and animal sourced foods increases. Moreover, dietary diversity improves and food loss and spoilage decreases.

Planetary impact

Food loss decreases and food security increases without substantial environmental load. Furthermore, it decreases fossil fuel dependency and consumption.

Equity impact

This could directly reduce food waste which would result in less water use, more food access / less disparity and solar power makes it clean.

Main concerns

Risk of excluding small-scale farmers. If the technology is not affordable for the most vulnerable, there needs to be subsidies. It is also important to include all in the design process and organise delivery chains to ensure the technology is available even in the most remote places. Technology transfer to local countries is needed, otherwise the independence and solid maintenance of the innovation will not be
ensured

Supply chain segment

Handling, storage and transport/distribution

Maturity level

Gaining traction

Criteria

Food safety Food availability Food affordability Climate mitigation

SDG target

SDG 2: Zero Hunger SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production SDG 13: Climate Action

Context

Peri-urban Rural

Examples and additional resources

Real-world examples

See this solution in action in different contexts and settings around the world

ColdHubs

Business information

Modular, solar-powered walk-in cold room for 24/7 off-grid storage and preservation of perishable foods.

Nigeria

coldhubs.com

Shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM

SokoFresh

Business information

SokoFresh exists to address the issue of post harvest loss that is responsible for 30-40% produce loss at farm level by setting up professional first mile post harvest management operations as well as a tech enabled market linkage platform that puts small holder farmers at the center of value chain activities.

Kenya

sokofresh.co.ke/.../

Shared by Glocolearinng

Additional resources

Learn more about this solution through studies, articles, business cases, and other information

Cold rooms reducing food waste

News article, popular press or blog post

Article assessing what's needed to further scale solar-powered cold rooms and introducing challenges and solutions to market access of them.

coolcoalition.org/takin...frica/

Shared by IFSS Research Team

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