Solar PV powered cooling for rural healthcare facilities in Malaysia

This paper presents an analysis of an off-grid solar cooling system designed for rural healthcare facilities in Malaysia where electricity access is limited or unreliable. The system utilizes a DC-powered vapor compression cooling unit driven by photovoltaic (PV) solar panels with energy storage in both a thermal tank and a battery. The primary aim is to maintain indoor air temperatures within a comfortable range and improve air quality in this area. The performance of the system was monitored over various conditions, and the results show that indoor temperatures were kept between 22 °C to 26 °C, even when external temperatures reached 35 °C. Additionally, a cost-benefit analysis shows that the system achieves a return on investment (ROI) within 12 months. The study concludes that this solar-powered cooling solution is both economically viable and environmentally sustainable for rural healthcare applications.