Solar-Powered Cold Chain Development for Fresh Produce Distribution in Rural South West Nigeria

This study examines the technical and economic feasibility of solar-powered cold chain infrastructure for fresh produce distribution in rural South West Nigeria, addressing the critical cold chain gap that contributes to high post-harvest losses. The South West is Nigeria's most important fresh fruit and vegetable producing and consuming region, yet cold chain infrastructure is virtually absent in rural production areas, with perishable produce transported without cooling from farm to urban markets. Solar-powered refrigeration offers a potentially viable off-grid cold chain solution for areas without reliable grid electricity. This study develops a cold chain network design for rural collection centres and transport vehicles in Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti States, sizing solar refrigeration systems for representative facility and vehicle configurations. Solar PV array, battery storage, and vapour compression refrigeration system sizing calculations are performed using standard refrigeration and solar energy design procedures. Life cycle cost analysis compares solar cold chain with grid-connected and diesel alternatives. Market surveys with 40 fresh produce traders assess cold chain demand and willingness to pay. Findings reveal that solar collection centre refrigeration systems sized at 2 to 5 kilowatts of refrigeration capacity are technically feasible at study sites with average daily radiation exceeding 4.5 kilowatt-hours per square metre. Life cycle costs are 28 percent below diesel equivalents. Trader willingness to pay for cold storage covers 65 percent of operating costs at commercial rates. The study recommends a phased solar cold chain investment programme.

Keywords: solar cold chain, fresh produce, post-harvest, South West Nigeria, refrigeration.