Design Verification and Performance Testing of Hybrid Solar-Powered Cold Storage Prototype

This research aims to evaluate the performance of a hybrid solar-powered cold storage prototype designed for off-grid operation. Testing was conducted over five days at a location in Bekasi, focusing on verifying the design of the cold storage, assessing the efficiency of the solar power generation system (SPV), and evaluating the cooling performance of the cold storage unit. Design verification results indicate that the condensing unit used in the cold storage at PT. United Refrigeration is fit for purpose. The highest potential electrical energy generated by the SPV system occurred between 12:00 and 13:20, reaching up to 60 kW. The SPV’s best efficiency was recorded at 18.1% on September 30, 2024, while the highest efficiency reached 13.7% on October 1, 2024. During the testing period, the total generated electrical energy amounted to 112.3 kWh, with contributions from the SPV of 36.3 kWh and from a generator of 76.0 kWh. The performance of the cold storage, measured by the Coefficient of Performance (COP), showed a maximum value of 3.874, with the lowest recorded product temperature at 0.6 °C and an average cold storage room temperature of 0.4 °C. This study confirms that hybrid solar-powered cold storage systems can provide a sustainable solution for product storage, especially in remote areas not connected to the power grid.