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Abstract
Abstract Solar-powered refrigeration systems offer a feasible and promising solution for enhancing the sustainability of refrigerated transportation. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the design and construction of a solar-powered refrigeration unit tailored for a refrigerated van, featuring photovoltaic (PV) panels mounted on the rooftop of the refrigerated box. The key components and operational mechanisms of the unit are also highlighted. The study reports on five preliminary experimental tests conducted to validate the feasibility and efficacy of a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) powered by solar energy. These tests demonstrate the impact of the PV solar system on the energy balance of the refrigerated unit under various environmental and operational conditions. The results indicate that the photovoltaic system enables autonomous operation of the refrigeration unit for 2.5 hours at a set point of -18°C (suitable for frozen products) and over 5 hours at +4°C (suitable for fresh products), assuming afternoon deliveries starting at 14:00 with climatic conditions typical of June and July in Fisciano, Salerno, Italy. These findings support the feasibility of sustainable regional and inter-regional transportation. The study also evaluates the effect of different starting times, revealing an increase in the duration of autonomous operation by up to 35% for transportation at 0°C when the start time is shifted from 14:00 to 11:00. Furthermore, the research assesses emission savings, identifying reductions between 4.1 and 4.4 kgCO2,e per delivery at set point temperatures of -18 °C and +4 °C, respectively. This range is even wider when considering earlier starting time (up to 5.4 kgCO2,e per delivery in the tests performed). This underscores the significant potential of solar-powered solutions in advancing the decarbonization of the cold chain. This research aims to inform policymakers and technology developers about the potential of deploying solar-based solutions in the refrigerated transport sector.
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