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

Phaesun and partners implemented solar-powered milk cooling systems in Kenya to reduce post-harvest losses for smallholder dairy farmers. By deploying the 'Milky Way' and 'SelfChill' modular technologies, the project reduced milk losses by approximately 25% across 10 farms and cooperatives, increasing income for at least 50 people while eliminating operational CO2 emissions.

• In Kenya, smallholder dairy farms typically operate through cooperatives to supply milk to markets, but a lack of cooling systems and low hygienic standards result in an estimated 20-30% loss of milk.
• Phaesun and the University of Hohenheim developed the 'Milky Way' solar milk cooling system, which utilizes a Steca DC Freezer PF 166, four 150Wp solar modules, and two 82 Ah batteries to preserve milk quality.
• The project implemented a modular 'SelfChill' strategy that stores cold in a water chiller ice reservoir to cool either milk tanks or cans. This approach was later expanded into the 'PV-Cool Kenya' project starting in July 2020, which includes a 20m3 cold room, a 560 l milk chiller, and a 50 kg/day ice machine.
• The deployment of solar milk cooling systems with a daily capacity of 60 l across approximately 10 farms and cooperatives reduced milk losses by about 25%, benefiting the income of at least 50 people.
• The systems are designed for environmental sustainability by relying entirely on solar energy to eliminate CO2 emissions during use and employing natural refrigerants with low global warming potential.

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} }