Let-it-Cold

Our hybrid solar-wind-powered cooling system offers a solution to the pervasive problem of post-harvest food loss in Nigeria, with implications for food security, economic empowerment &climate action.

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Inspiration

Nigeria faces significant challenges in food preservation, leading to substantial post-harvest losses. The project offers a sustainable solution through hybrid solar-and-wind-powered cooling system, aiming to deliver comfort, efficiency, and sustainability by ensuring safer and fresher agricultural products for the Nigerian populace.

Our vision is to be a leading provider of sustainable, smart cold storage solutions, empowering communities, promoting food security, minimizing post-harvest losses, and reducing carbon footprints. The project aligns with Nigeria's National Policy on Food and Nutrition and the National Policy on Food Safety and Implementation Strategy (NPFSIS), both addressing aspects relevant to food storage.

Our mission is to empower marginalized communities lacking reliable electricity by providing sustainable, smart storage solutions that improve food security, reduce post-harvest losses, and promote economic development. We envision a decentralized network of modular, solar-wind hybrid cold storage units in rural agrarian communities, initially focusing on Northern Nigeria.

Our project provides an innovative hybrid solar-and-wind-powered cold room system, integrated with thermal storage and IoT technology. This 5-tonne capacity cold room is designed to preserve perishable goods efficiently. The hybrid approach ensures consistent performance even during low solar radiation or wind speed conditions, reducing reliance on fossil fuel generators and lowering operating costs.

Our units provide off-grid refrigeration, allowing farmers to safely store perishable produce like fruits, vegetables, and dairy for several days after harvest. The solution also includes a mobile device charging station, providing an additional utility and revenue stream for underserved communities.

Accomplishments that we're proud of; As of now, we have successfully completed our pilot project (Minimum Viable Product) and installed it in the Ungogo Local community for testing. The initial feedback from farmers and traders in the community has been positive, indicating a promising start to addressing the challenge of food spoilage and wastage. We have also deployed a 1-ton solar powered cold room in Benue State in the past two months and we are currently monitoring and evaluating the performance of the system.

Lessons learnt are:

  • Innovation and sustainability: Hybrid solar-wind cooling systems offer a viable solution to food loss and sustainability challenges.
  • Empowerment through STEM: Engaging women and youth in STEM fields is crucial for national development and innovation.
  • Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with organizations like GAIN, ALLON, NASENI DELT-Her initiative are essential for project success and scalability.

What's next for Let-it-Cold

  • Short-term (6-12 months): Expand production, reach more farmers, and develop strategic partnerships.
  • Mid-term (1-2 years): Deepen market penetration, innovate and improve our products, and build capacity.
  • Long-term (2-5 years): Expand regionally, achieve sustainability, and establish thought leadership.

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