Abstract
Assessing the application of off-grid solar systems for meat preservation, this research examines their effects on Gallus gallus domesticus (chicken) and Sus scrofa (pork). Off-grid solar systems offer an alternative power source to conventional generators, helping to reduce high operating costs, CO2 emissions, and fuel consumption. Maintaining optimal humidity is crucial for both meat quality and the effective operation of processing equipment. An off-grid solar system, including a battery and charge controller, was used to power a cooling system, regulate humidity, and manage CO2 levels within safe ppm ranges. System performance was evaluated by monitoring CO2 levels at 5-min intervals over 30 meat trials. Findings revealed that reducing humidity significantly lowered CO2 levels for Gallus gallus domesticus (chicken) meat, with R² values of 0.83 when the cooling system was off and 0.91 when it was on. The relationship was weak for Sus scrofa (pork) meat, with R² values of 0.01 without the cooling system and 0.18 with it on. Exploring additional predictors or refining the Sus scrofa (pork) meat model may help reduce unexplained variance and enhance predictive accuracy. These results highlight the potential of off-grid solar systems to provide sustainable and cost-effective food storage solutions, especially in remote or underserved areas with limited traditional infrastructure.
