Solar chest freezers or refrigerators are powered by converting natural solar energy into electrical energy. Solar energy and battery panels are installed outside the box to collect solar energy outdoors and convert it into electrical energy, which is stored in batteries. The refrigerator uses a low-voltage power supply, and the DC compressor is directly powered by the solar panel, thereby reducing the DC/AC DC/AC inverter conversion link and improving the power efficiency. If it is rainy, the battery will continue to provide energy for the refrigerator.

Solar photovoltaic refrigerators mainly include solar photovoltaic refrigerators and solar semiconductor refrigerators. Solar photovoltaic refrigerators are developed on the basis of ordinary traditional compression refrigerators and are composed of solar cells, controllers, batteries, and refrigerators. Since the internal structure of a solar photovoltaic refrigerator is the same as that of a traditional refrigerator, except that the power supply device is changed to a solar cell, it is relatively simple to implement.

Compression refrigerators provide mechanical energy from an electric motor and work on the refrigeration system through a compressor. The refrigeration system is made of the principle of absorbing the heat of vaporization when the refrigerant with a low boiling point evaporates. At present, more than 90% of the world is of this type.