Phaesun – Improving Milk Value Chains through Solar Cooling (Kenya)

The document details a project by Phaesun, University Hohenheim, and Solar Cooling Engineering to deploy solar cooling systems for smallholder dairy farmers in Kenya. By introducing the 'Milky Way' and 'SelfChill' technologies, the project aimed to address high microbial contamination and milk losses, which are estimated at 20-30% due to a lack of cooling. The implementation of these systems across approximately 10 farms and cooperatives reduced milk losses by about 25% and increased income for at least 50 people. The project, funded by GIZ and BMZ, also validated a monthly payment model for the service and transitioned to a modular, pay-as-you-go compatible 'SelfChill' concept to meet demand for medium-scale cooling.

• In Kenya, smallholder dairy cooperatives often lack cooling systems and hygienic standards, resulting in an estimated milk loss of 20-30% due to microbial contamination.
• The 'Milky Way' solar milk cooling system utilizes a Steca DC Freezer PF 166, four 150Wp solar modules, and two 82 Ah batteries to preserve milk quality from farms to markets.
• The deployment of solar milk cooling systems with a daily capacity of 60 litres across roughly 10 farms and cooperatives reduced milk losses by approximately 25% and improved the income of at least 50 individuals.
• The project's economic sustainability was demonstrated through a successful monthly payment model for the cooling service, after which system ownership was transferred to the farmers.
• The subsequent 'SelfChill' modular concept allows for the use of local materials and is compatible with pay-as-you-go business models to accommodate regions with low purchasing power.

APA

Alliance for Renewable Electrification (2021). Phaesun – Improving Milk Value Chains through Solar Cooling (Kenya). https://renewelec.org/case-study/phaesun-improving-milk-value-chains-through-solar-cooling-kenya/

Chicago

Alliance for Renewable Electrification. Phaesun – Improving Milk Value Chains through Solar Cooling (Kenya). 2021. https://renewelec.org/case-study/phaesun-improving-milk-value-chains-through-solar-cooling-kenya/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Alliance for Renewable Electrification |title=Phaesun – Improving Milk Value Chains through Solar Cooling (Kenya) |date=14 March 2021 |url=https://renewelec.org/case-study/phaesun-improving-milk-value-chains-through-solar-cooling-kenya/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{allianceforrenewableelectrification2021phaesun, author = {{Alliance for Renewable Electrification}}, title = {{Phaesun – Improving Milk Value Chains through Solar Cooling (Kenya)}}, institution = {Alliance for Renewable Electrification}, year = {2021}, month = mar, url = {https://renewelec.org/case-study/phaesun-improving-milk-value-chains-through-solar-cooling-kenya/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }