Design and development of direct-coupled photovoltaic powered agri-processing machinery

Solar PV technology has seen the highest growth rate among all renewable energy resources in the last decade and a steep learning curve resulting in a significant reduction in the cost of key components such as solar modules. For example, in the last decade, the price of solar modules has reduced ten times. In such a scenario developing solar PV agricultural processing machines is a rewarding proposition, particularly in the geographic south, notably Africa has an added advantage in terms of total solar radiations received. The current project aims at exploiting this potential in Ghana for cassava processing as a case study crop. Processing cassava is a key to preserve and make it suitable for consumption. Estimates suggest that lack of access to rapid processing machinery at smallholder level results in significant food losses and wastages. To undertake the challenge of rapid cassava processing, the solution which the team is offering is based on the principle of ‘‘decentralised cassava processing by solar driven machinery’’. A directly coupled photovoltaic (PV) panel and a direct current (DC) motor run chipping, grating and milling will provide efficient and fast processing of freshly harvested roots into dehydrated cassava products.