Namibia - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

SolCold Namibia envisions affordable, solar-powered cold rooms from shipping containers. Our idea targets reliable, off-grid perishable storage, ideal for remote areas. By harnessing solar energy, we aim to cut operational costs and promote sustainability

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

SolCold Namibia is conceptualizing the conversion of shipping containers into solar-powered cold rooms, targeting remote regions. Our concept aims to offer off-grid reliability, reduce operational costs, and promote sustainability for businesses. The core of our idea revolves around leveraging solar energy to power these cold rooms, ensuring off-grid reliability and significantly reducing operational costs for businesses. By harnessing the abundant solar resources available in Namibia, we aim to provide a sustainable solution that not only meets the immediate storage needs of perishable goods but also aligns with environmental conservation efforts. Furthermore, our cold rooms will be meticulously designed and engineered to ensure optimal performance and efficiency. By doing so, we aim to not only reduce food waste but also extend the shelf life of products, thereby enhancing the profitability and sustainability of businesses across various sectors.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

The main problem that SolCold Namibia's idea aims to solve is the challenge of perishable goods storage, particularly in remote regions with limited access to reliable electricity infrastructure. In these areas, businesses face significant difficulties in preserving perishable goods such as food, medicine, and agricultural produce due to the lack of consistent refrigeration options. This often results in increased food waste, reduced product quality, and financial losses for businesses. By converting shipping containers into solar-powered cold rooms, SolCold Namibia offers an innovative solution that provides off-grid reliability for perishable storage needs. By harnessing solar energy, our cold rooms ensure continuous refrigeration without dependence on the electricity grid, thereby overcoming the limitations of traditional cold storage facilities. Thus reducing operational costs and minimizing food waste and extending the shelf life of products.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

Off-grid Reliability: Our solar-powered cold rooms will provide reliable refrigeration even in remote areas with limited access to electricity infrastructure, ensuring uninterrupted storage of perishable goods Cost-effectiveness: By harnessing solar energy, businesses can significantly reduce operational costs associated with traditional cold storage facilities, such as electricity bills and fuel expenses. Minimized Food Waste: Our cold rooms will be meticulously designed to optimize temperature control and minimize food spoilage, thereby reducing food waste and maximizing product freshness and quality. Environmental Sustainability: SolCold Namibia's solution promotes environmental sustainability by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to efforts to combat climate change.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Businesses in remote areas lacking reliable electricity for perishable storage Small-scale farmers with limited access to traditional cold storage infrastructure Food processing companies requiring off-grid refrigeration to maintain product freshness and quality. Community food banks and relief organizations needing cost-effective cold storage options for perishable donations

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-11-01

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

0

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

0

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Not applicable

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

a) Energy (equipment, services, sustainable energy and fuel)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

By empowering small-scale farmers with affordable cold storage options, enabling them to preserve and sell more of their produce, thus increasing their income.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Minimizing food waste through reliable cold storage solutions, ensuring that perishable goods remain fresh and usable for longer periods. Supporting small-scale farmers and food producers with affordable cold storage options, enabling them to preserve their harvests and sell surplus produce to local markets. Enhancing food availability and access in underserved communities, particularly in remote areas where hunger and food insecurity are prevalent. Contributing to the overall resilience of food systems by reducing losses and increasing the efficiency of food supply chains, thus mitigating the risk of hunger during times of crisis or scarcity.

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

By maintaining optimal temperatures, these cold rooms can extend the shelf life of fresh produce. This means that fruits, vegetables, and other perishable goods stay fresher for longer periods, reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses and ensuring that people have access to nutritious food. With proper refrigeration, there's less chance of food spoiling due to exposure to heat or bacteria. This reduces food waste, which not only benefits the environment but also ensures that communities have a consistent and reliable food supply. Cold storage facilities can support local economies by enabling farmers and producers to store their products for longer periods, allowing them to sell when prices are higher or when demand is greater. This economic stability can contribute to overall community well-being and access to healthcare and other essential services.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

3

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

2

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

6

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

SolCold Namibia will directly contribute to ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all in several ways Solar power is a renewable energy source that is abundant and freely available, particularly in regions with ample sunlight. By harnessing solar energy to power the refrigeration units in the cold rooms, communities can reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and expensive grid electricity, making energy more affordable and sustainable. Solar energy is typically cheaper than conventional electricity generated from fossil fuels. Once the initial investment in solar panels and storage systems is made, the operational costs of solar-powered cold rooms are minimal. This reduction in operating costs makes refrigeration more affordable and accessible to farmers, small businesses, and communities, especially in remote or off-grid areas.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

By providing reliable refrigeration infrastructure, solar-powered cold rooms support agricultural productivity and enhance the value chain for food production and distribution. This, in turn, stimulates economic growth by enabling farmers to store their produce for longer periods, reducing post-harvest losses, and accessing wider markets. The expansion of the agricultural and food industry creates employment opportunities across various sectors, including farming, transportation, food processing, and retail. Overall, solar-powered shipping container cold rooms have the potential to drive economic growth, create employment opportunities, and promote inclusive development by supporting agriculture, fostering entrepreneurship, enhancing market access, and building capacity in renewable energy and sustainable practices.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

2

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

2

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

2

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

2

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

2

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

2

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

2

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

3

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

4

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

4

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

6

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

4

05.08 Justification

The idea of using shipping containers for solar-powered cold rooms is innovative in its utilization of existing resources, modularity, sustainability, accessibility, and promotion of entrepreneurship. It addresses critical challenges related to food preservation, energy access, and economic development, making it a creative and impactful solution for communities in Namibia.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

My main competitors would be commercial refrigeration or cold storage facilities, cold transport companies and other solar product suppliers. To my knowledge however there is no business that will be providing the type of product I will be providing or with a similar business model as SolCold Namibia will implement.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

No