Smart solar energy systems for sustainable cold storage in export vegetable farming

¹ Energy Engineering Department, Bandung State Polytechnic, Bandung Barat, Indonesia
² North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa

^* Corresponding author: sri.utami@polban.ac.id

Abstract

Cold storage is essential for preserving the quality and shelf life of vegetables, especially those cultivated for export markets. However, heavy reliance on conventional electricity not only increases operational costs but also contributes to higher greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating environmental impact. This study explores the implementation of a photovoltaic solar power system to reduce dependence on grid electricity in a vegetable farm’s cold storage facility named koperasi Konsumen Sobat Petani Lestari in Pasirlangu, Cisarua. The novelty of this research lies in the integration of a smart monitoring system capable of real-time tracking of solar energy production and quantifying carbon footprint savings. The system was implemented on an export-oriented vegetable farm where maintaining low and stable storage temperatures is critical to minimizing post-harvest losses. Over a monitored period, the photovoltaic system covered a substantial portion of the cold storage energy demand, significantly lowering grid electricity usage and reducing food waste. Additionally, the smart monitoring interface provided actionable insights into energy efficiency and environmental performance, enabling data-driven decisions for sustainable farming. This approach demonstrates a scalable solution for enhancing the resilience and sustainability of cold chains in agriculture, particularly in developing regions such as Indonesia. This study shows that the implementation of a 2.925 kWp smart photovoltaic-based cold storage system effectively improves the efficiency of agricultural cold chain management while generating over 12 kWh per day and reducing approximately 212 kg of CO₂ emissions per month, thereby providing a scalable and sustainable solution that supports the transition toward clean energy.