Performance Evaluation of Solar-Powered DC Milking Machine for Dairy Cattle

Abstract

This research practically evaluates the impact and performance of the solar-powered DC milking machine on dairy cattle. The milking machine was tested and evaluated on the Sokoto Gudali and Geurnsey cattle with respect to the milking time, milk yield, milking efficiency and energy efficiency. The environmental impact of the design was assessed using RETScreen software to ascertain the level of greenhouse gas emissions in comparison to conventional milking machine. The results indicated that both breeds of cattle take approximately 8 – 15 minutes per day and 4 - 8minutes across morning and evening milking sessions. They produce 2.3 – 6.6litres of milk per day and 1.0 - 4.4litres of milk across the morning and evening milking session. Milking efficiency ranged from 0.26l/min - 0.62l/min while the energy efficiency was at the range of 0.15kJ/l - 0.36kJ/l. The environmental impact of the solar-powered DC milking machine showed to have a 93% significant reduction in gross annual greenhouse gas emissions.