Life cycle assessment and cost analysis of locally made solar powered cooler for vaccine storage

Abstract

Storing vaccines and perishable food in regions without access to the national grid presents significant challenges. Solar power generation technologies have emerged as a viable alternative solution to address these issues. This study conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA) and cost analysis (CA) of the locally developed solar-powered cooler to assess its economic viability and potential environmental impacts. The cooler was designed to preserve vaccines and perishable foods for use, especially in areas with no electricity connectivity, as a cheaper alternative to electricity-powered coolers. The results of LCA show that battery manufacturing was a slightly higher contributor to environmental impacts across various indicators, with terrestrial ecotoxicity identified as the highest impact among other environmental impacts. Cost analysis results further revealed that a solar-powered cooler project demonstrated a positive economic outlook, with the unit manufacturing cost estimated at USD 2682. This quantitative analysis of life cycle and cost will help decision-makers comprehend both the economic aspects and environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of locally manufactured solar-powered coolers. Such insights will be instrumental in enhancing the sustainability of these products.