A thermal solar incubator application having a phase-change material in isolated site

Poultry production in Côte d’Ivoire plays a crucial role in the rural livestock sector, with smallholder farms, primarily managed by women, accounting for 75% of production. Despite their importance, traditional incubation methods fail to meet the growing demand, and commercial incubators remain largely inaccessible due to their high energy requirements. This study presents the design, development, and thermal optimization of a solar-powered incubator incorporating a phase-change material (PCM) for autonomous operation in off-grid areas. The incubator, heated by water through natural convection, maintained the incubation chamber at 36.62–37.59 °C and 49.4%–68.5% relative humidity over 21 days. Experimental trials with 30 locally sourced eggs showed a fertility rate of 93% and a hatching rate of 93%, resulting in an overall incubator efficiency of 87%. Solar collector outlet temperatures ranged from 50 to 95 °C under solar radiation of 503–912 W/m2. These results demonstrate that a PCM-assisted solar incubator can provide a reliable, energy-efficient, and sustainable solution for small-scale poultry production in rural areas, contributing to improved food security and income generation.