Researchers in Egypt developed a solar-powered thermoelectric cooling unit for fish preservation, combining PV energy, Peltier modules, and automated temperature control to replace traditional ice-based methods. The prototype achieved efficient off-grid cooling at 5 C, with validated performance, low operating costs, and a rapid 0.15-year payback period.
Researchers at Egypt’s Agricultural Research Center (ARC) have designed a PV-driven thermoelectric cooling prototype for fish preservation during the fishing process.
“Preserving fish caught by fishermen in a cool, low-temperature environment to maintain their quality and keep them in optimal condition, a process known as fish 1st grade, is one of the most important issues facing fishermen,” the research team said, noting that hish preservation on fishing vessels traditionally relies on ice to maintain quality by slowing bacterial growth.
This method, however, is limited by the weight, storage space, cost, and handling requirements of ice. To extend preservation, fishermen often add salt to the ice, although this can alter the fish’s natural taste. Conventional ice cooling also suffers from slow cooling rates, uneven temperature distribution, and short-term effectiveness, while industrial refrigeration systems are costly, energy-intensive, and environmentally unsustainable.
