Client

The University of the District of Columbia Firebird Experimental Research Farm

Location

Beltsville, MD

Challenge

As part of its research facilities, The University of the District of Columbia’s College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) of the University of the District of Columbia offers research-based academic and community outreach programs that improve the quality of life and economic opportunity of people and communities in the District of Columbia the nation and the world.

DGridEnergy was tasked with developing a solar powered refrigeration system to run the first Solar Cool Cube to provide test data in an applicable setting, complimenting sustainable practices already employed on the farm. The system needed to be as replicative to emerging market conditions and use as well as build outs for the Solar Cool Cube Systems that would be deployed in foreign countries. Data collected from the site was further analyzed and projected out to various governmental organizations as a test bed for product viability.

Solution

The Solar Cool Cube System was purchased by the CAUSES to provide the cold storage solution for post-harvest loss prevention for the traditional crops, African specialty crops and aquaponic grown crops using hydroponics processes that are grown on the 150 acre farm.

Project Specifications:

60m³  Solar Cool Cube with 4.48kW of Solar and Pre-assembled Magnum Inverter based system, 1000Ah of Battery Storage

Highlights:

Dual Chamber Unit with Pre-Chiller
System is able to provide cold storage for fresh produce harvested on the farm as well as seeds and dried products.