Journal of Renewable and New Energy

Design and construction of a solar refrigerator using a thermoelectric cooling element

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

meraj rajaee 1
mina jalali 2

1 Department of Electrical Engineering, National University of Skills (NUS), Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Physics and Energy Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (AUT), Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/jrenew.2026.240972
Abstract
In the present era, with the increasing demand for electrical energy and attention to clean sources, solar energy has emerged as a sustainable solution. This article focuses on the design and construction of a portable solar refrigerator that utilizes solar panels and thermoelectric elements to provide cooling in areas with limited or no access to grid electricity. Thermoelectric elements, employing the Peltier effect, transfer heat from one side to the other, enabling cooling without the need for a compressor. This feature makes solar refrigerators an ideal option for remote areas and emergency situations. The designed refrigerator, with a durable galvanized steel body, easy portability, and efficient cooling performance, can reduce the ambient temperature from 28 degrees Celsius to 6 degrees Celsius. This capability allows for the storage of temperature-sensitive food and pharmaceutical products in various conditions. The conducted tests demonstrate that this solar refrigerator, with its acceptable performance and appropriate efficiency, can be used as a sustainable and reliable solution in diverse environments. Potential applications include camping trips, remote areas, transportation of food and pharmaceuticals, and emergency situations.

Given the continuous advancements in solar energy and thermoelectric element technologies, it is expected that solar refrigerators will play a significant role in meeting cooling needs in the future.

Keywords

Cooling element
solar refrigerator
thermoelectric
refrigerato
Subjects
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  • Receive Date 07 June 2025
  • Revise Date 09 September 2025
  • Accept Date 10 September 2025

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