Photovoltaic panel-generator based autonomous power source for small refrigeration units

This article describes an autonomous power source for a domestic refrigeration unit which is powered by a field of photovoltaic panels backed-up by a generator set. Salient design features and results from some of the tests on the unit are presented. Methodologies for reliable and efficient operation of the refrigerator have been evolved. A finite time delay between cut-out and cut-in of the compressor, changes in invertor design to meet the demands at start and at run of the motor, choice of battery capacity so as to eliminate the need for a power conditioner are found to result in energy conservation. The entire unit has been made from indigenously available components and uses minimal electronic controls. Such units have applications for the storage of vaccines and life saving medicines which require uninterrupted refrigeration, in medical shops, rural health centres, veterinary laboratories, etc. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.