Most of the advantages of solar powered refrigerator are same with the other solar energy appliances. Therefore, the use of solar energy instead of electrical energy can save lots of electrical power which is generated from power plants. Besides that, using solar energy which is renewable and clean resource is minimize the environmental issues because it does not cause much pollution such as greenhouse effect, climate change, and global warming.
Solar powered refrigerator is much cheaper in running and maintenance costs compared to conventional refrigerator. It also operates silently and safer. On the other hand, it is very useful and able to work in any places especially in rural areas when there is no electric supplied.
However, there are some limitations and drawbacks on using solar powered refrigerator such as it can only operate in areas where strong sunlight is available. The other main disadvantage is solar powered refrigerator which is an intermittent system works on discontinuous cycle. The refrigeration process or ice-making process of the solar powered refrigerator can only take place during the night.
Moreover, this refrigeration system requires operating in low pressure, hence, the vacuum pump is needed to suck out the air in closed system. The efficiency of the solar powered refrigerator is also much lower than of the conventional refrigerator. The Coefficient of Performance (COP) is low and not constant in all the times. Last but not least, it requires lots of space to be occupied especially for the part of solar collector.