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ICE FROM THE SUN

23/09/2010

23/09/2010

Some specimens of an innovative sort of refrigerator powered by solar energy are currently in use in Africa. They could be a successful solution for keeping vaccines cool in isolated areas.

This eco-friendly refrigerator was developed by Solaref, a company located in the “Solar Valley”, in Savoie, France. Water evaporates during the day, thanks to the sun, and is transformed at night into a block of ice. Whether in its liquid or in its gas form, the water constantly goes back and forth with no molecule leaking from the vacuum chamber. Such refrigerators can maintain a temperature between 2 to 8° C for three consecutive days without sun when it is 43° C during the day and 34° at night. Another main advantage is that, contrary to gas or kerosene powered fridges which are difficult to refuel when in isolated areas, these eco-friendly fridges are entirely autonomous, without engine or batteries. Their only source of energy comes from solar radiation. Other refrigerators connected to photovoltaic panels already exist but their batteries must be changed regularly. The only maintenance required for Solaref refrigerators is the cleaning of their solar collector. Their sole drawback lies in their cost: 6 600 € for the 90-litre model. Aimed at keeping vaccines and medicines refrigerated in extreme conditions, this apparatus is “strategically suited to meet the Millenium development goals” said Giulia Dario, UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services)–IDEASS International Secretariat coordinator. Some units have already been installed in Senegal, Togo and Burkina Faso. Solaref’s target within the next three years is to deliver 500 units per annum.