The purpose of this project was to examine the feasibility of a solar powered refrigeration system and to implement a working prototype on a small scale. A thermal model of an ideal refrigerator was developed to determine the necessary compressor power requirements for a given refrigerator volume. These power requirements were then used to dictate the necessary battery capacity and solar panel output needed by a practical system. A prototype of a solar powered refrigeration system was then constructed utilizing a dorm-size refrigerator, DC compressor control module was utilized to prevent damage to the system.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Weikel, Christopher Monroe.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 05C020M

Advisor

• Bitar, Stephen John

Year

• 2005

Date created

• 2005-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Electrical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright