Solar power provides cooling for fish, herbs and milk in Kenya

The PV Cool Kenya project, a collaboration between Phaesun, Solar Cooling Engineering, and Strathmore University, installed three solar-powered cooling systems based on the SelfChill concept in Kenya. These systems include a 500-litre milk cooling tank in Bungoma, an ice maker for fishermen on Lake Victoria, and a cold room for fruit and herbs in Thika. The project aimed to increase productivity and income for smallholder farmers who lack grid electricity. Despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the project concluded in June 2022 and included technical training at Strathmore University’s Solar Center.

• The PV Cool Kenya project deployed three demonstration cooling systems using the 'SelfChill' modular concept, which uses solar modules to power cooling units and stores cold as frozen water in ice storage units.
• Specific installations include a 500-litre milk cooling tank in Bungoma for evening milk, an ice maker providing 5 kg ice blocks for fishermen on Lake Victoria, and a cold room in Thika for fruit and herbs.
• The project addressed the lack of electricity grid access for rural smallholder farmers in Kenya, aiming to reduce post-harvest losses and increase farmer incomes and food security.
• The project ran from 2020 to June 2022 and faced implementation challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including travel restrictions and international freight delays.

APA

admin (2022). Solar power provides cooling for fish, herbs and milk in Kenya. Alliance for Renewable Electrification. https://renewelec.org/solar-power-provides-cooling-fish-herbs-and-milk-kenya/

Chicago

admin. Solar power provides cooling for fish, herbs and milk in Kenya. Alliance for Renewable Electrification, 2022. https://renewelec.org/solar-power-provides-cooling-fish-herbs-and-milk-kenya/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=admin |title=Solar power provides cooling for fish, herbs and milk in Kenya |publisher=Alliance for Renewable Electrification |date=29 July 2022 |url=https://renewelec.org/solar-power-provides-cooling-fish-herbs-and-milk-kenya/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{admin2022solar, author = {admin}, title = {{Solar power provides cooling for fish, herbs and milk in Kenya}}, institution = {Alliance for Renewable Electrification}, year = {2022}, month = jul, url = {https://renewelec.org/solar-power-provides-cooling-fish-herbs-and-milk-kenya/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }