A.1 Introduction

Big challenges exist for developing off-grid, reliable, and affordable solar refrigeration for businesses at the economic base of the pyramid (BoP). SolarBear, an initiative started in 2010 by DUT MSc students of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, is looking for solutions to this challenge by applying adsorption-cooling technology to consumer products for the BoP.

A.1.1 The Need for Off-Grid Refrigeration in BoP Small-Scale Businesses

Major problems are linked to absent or unreliable refrigeration in emerging economies. The lack of preservation and cooling capacity for the crop and livestock of farmers and fishers in BoP markets causes high price volatility. In addition, cooling in BoP “hot zones” requires a lot of power. Grid-connected electricity is still not available in many locations, and off-grid energy production is costly. In India alone, hundreds of millions of people live without access to electricity, and therefore do not have access to reliable refrigeration.

A.1.2 Existing Cooling Solutions

Off-grid refrigeration solutions exist for many different applications and markets, from gas-powered medical vaccination cooling over cool boxes with ice to generator-powered (household) refrigerators. All entail high costs of use. Evaporation coolers can have low initial costs and costs of use, but they work only in very dry climates. Photovoltaic (PV) solar-powered coolers usually have high initial costs. However, there are several solutions for low-cost refrigeration for the BoP: Based on a thorough technical exploration, the SolarBear initiative has chosen adsorption cooling as one of the most cost-effective, relatively accessible, and possibly modular technologies suitable for the main demands of BoP markets.

The decisive argument for using adsorption technology in combination with a simple flat-plate heat collector was the competitive low-price promise. In case of a high-production volume of an integral modular system, very low prices can be reached (see Figures A.1.1 and A.1.2).

Figure A.1.1 Cost price and cost of use position of the new SolarBear concept, compared with the competition

Figure A.1.2 Technology level and efficiency position of the new SolarBear concept, compared with the competition