Authors: Abishek M, Jaya Sharon J, Manikandan S, Sujin C, Assistant Professor N. Michael Franklin
Abstract: This paper presents the design and development of a solar-powered refrigerated tricycle for safe and efficient fish transportation. Fish is a highly perishable commodity, and conventional transportation methods relying on ice boxes fail to maintain consistent low temperatures, resulting in post-harvest losses, quality degradation, and food safety concerns. The proposed system integrates a photovoltaic solar panel as the primary energy source, a rechargeable battery for uninterrupted operation, and a Peltier thermoelectric module as the cooling mechanism. An Arduino Uno microcontroller continuously monitors the internal storage temperature through a DHT11 sensor and automatically regulates the cooling operation via a relay module. A cooling fan aids heat dissipation from the Peltier module’s hot side, and an LCD display provides real-time system status to the operator. The tricycle offers mobility, affordability, and eco-friendly operation, making it suitable for small-scale vendors and fishermen in rural and coastal areas. Experimental results confirm that the system effectively maintains the required low temperatures, reduces spoilage, and improves fish quality during transportation while operating independently of the electrical grid.
