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Crave US: Solar-powered fridges are to hit India after Promethean Power secured funding from an Indian multinational that will help manufacture and distribute the product. Most commercial fridges run on diesel generators, but the US company intends to make the refrigerator from commonly used car parts so it can be easily repaired in rural areas.
The system was created by the Solar Turbine Group (STG), a non-profit organisation formed by students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, from which Promethean Power is a spin off. STG has already built some of its solar turbines in the African country of Lesotho, which are used for creating hot water and electricity.
The solar refrigeration system uses parabolic troughs to generate the heat from sunlight to heat a liquid, which creates steam to turn a turbine to make electricity. Promethean Power did market research and found that refrigeration in developing countries like India offers a good business opportunity, said Sorin Grama, the company's president.
The goal is to make a system that is also able to work by burning natural gas or biomass, which can be readily available in rural areas, according to engineer Libby Weyman. The company is in negotiations with an investor and expects to finalise something within two months, said Sam White, the company's chief operating officer, on Tuesday.
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