Performance Test of Solar – Powered Ice Maker Machine: Case Study in Bantul, Yogyakarta

Abstract

Research on performance test of a solar-powered ice maker machine has been conducted in Bantul, Yogyakarta. This study aimed to observe the correlation between intensity of sunlight to the power battery capacity rates generated from solar panels in regard with the performance of ice maker machine. The testing was conducted during various weather conditions i.e. sunny, cloudy and light rain. The type of ice maker observed was a flake ice maker machine with specifications of the production capacity of 105 - 120 kgs/day, producing flake ice with dimensions of 2 x 3 x 3 mm3. The energy of the machine was generated by nine solar panels with maximum power of 200 Wp (watt peak) per panel. A set of three panels was arranged in series, it was then coupled to other sets in parallel. The results showed that the power battery capacity was in corresponded to the sunlight intensity during sunny weather with the correlation: y = 0.009x - 26.08, while during cloudy dan raining conditions, the power capacity rates of the battery showed a declining with the correlation: y = 0.008x - 23.92 and y = 0.007x + 69.41, respectively. The ice production capacity during sunny, cloudy and light rainy weathers were 4.34 kg ice/hour; 4.63 kg ice / hour and 4.17 kg ice / hour respectively. Input power from solar panels depends on the intensity of sunlight. The ice produced by ice makers in cloudy weather conditions is much greater than the ice produced during sunny or rainy weather conditions.