Solar Icemaker

The ISAAC Solar Icemaker is being demonstrated in two small-scale dairy villages in Kenya. The project is hosted by Heifer Project International and was funded by the World Bank's Development Marketplace program.

The ISAAC Solar Icemaker operates in two modes to complete the cycle. During the day, solar energy heats the generator to make ammonia vapor which is condensed and collected. During the night, the generator cools and reabsorbs the refrigerant. As the refrigerant evaporates, the water in the evaporator is frozen.

The ISAAC Solar Icemaker operates on the ammonia absorption refrigeration technology. Ammonia absorption is used in industrial and commercial refrigeration. In domestic refrigeration, it was replaced by modern refrigeration with the development of
electricity and freon refrigerants long ago. But now it is important for small-scale uses because of the need to conserve electricity and fossil fuel and because of the needs for food security, especially in rural communities which do not have electricity.

The equipment is very durable. The ISAAC makes up to 50 kg of ice per sunny day, which is enough to chill up to 100 kg of food for a day. This gives the rural farmers and fishermen more time to market their products to the urban areas.

The ISAAC Solar Icemaker was developed by Energy Concepts Company. The Solar Ice Company is a sister company and produces and promotes the solar icemaker.

ISAAC - Providing ice for economically and environmentally sustainable rural development.