Solar PV Powered Cooling with Thermal Energy Storage 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 the electricity infrastructure is often unreliable, affecting the delivery of essential healthcare services. Aiming to minimize the reliance on electrical battery storage, the system utilizes a DC-powered vapor compression cooling unit directly driven by photovoltaic (PV) solar panels with energy storage using thermal energy storage. Meanwhile, electrical battery storage was designed sufficiently for auxiliary electrical equipment. In addition, the system was designed to maintain indoor air temperatures within a comfortable range as per MS 1525– 2014 and DOSH 2010 standard. In conducting the feasibility study of the proposed idea, we have designed and installed a 5-kW cooling system at a test room facility in Malaysia. 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, levelized cost of cooling analysis, and a simple payback period indicates that cost per kWh of cooling is only 0.033 USD and less than 2 years respectively. This feasibility study not only demonstrates the technical viability of solar-powered cooling in rural healthcare settings but also highlights its potential for broader application in similar off-grid regions, contributing to sustainable energy solutions in the healthcare sector.