Everything you need to know about solar for warehousing and cold storage
India is one of the largest producers of perishables, producing more than 400 million metric tons of perishables annually. With such vast quantities of perishables produced annually, one can easily imagine the significance of proper storage facilities. Spoilage is one of the important contributing factors to losses. The same is applicable to pharmaceutical businesses. Vaccines and drugs need to be stored at certain temperatures too failing which they become unfit for consumption. The warehousing and cold storage infrastructure in certain parts of our country is substandard. The rising electricity costs have put pressure on agricultural, pharmaceutical, and frozen food businesses to make do with whatever little facilities are available. But leveraging solar energy for cold storage and warehousing can be a game changer. Solar energy offers several long-term benefits for businesses including cost reduction and improved efficiency.
Why go solar for warehousing and cold storage?
Electricity is a chief requirement for warehouses and cold storage facilities. Cold storage facilities demand power 24x7 to keep the temperatures maintained at a certain level as per the requirement. Temperature fluctuations can lead to bacteria and other microorganisms infesting the products and rendering them useless, a major pain point with pharma, dairy and meat industries. Some businesses have resorted to air-conditioned warehouses to store perishables. However, frequent power outages in rural areas have forced businesses to look for better alternatives. Businesses also use diesel generators for storage but diesel generators are expensive and pollute the environment.
Using solar energy for warehouses and cold storage facilities can offset high operating costs. Solar is an effective solution for warehousing and cold storage. Installing solar panels can make excellent use of unused roof space and ensure uninterrupted power for storage facilities.
Benefits of solar-powered storage
Solar is a cost-effective solution as it equips businesses with an independent energy source. Let's understand a few benefits of solar for cold storage and warehouses:
1. Reduced dependency on the grid or fossil fuel
Solar energy reduces dependency on the grid. Since solar is renewable energy, the burden on non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels is reduced. Solar-powered storage facilities offer cost and environmental benefits. Agricultural, pharmaceutical, and frozen food businesses can have a reliable energy source all the time and remain unaffected by fluctuating electricity rates or power outages. Off-grid storage enables businesses to retain the quality of their products for a longer time.
2. Boosts income of businesses
Solar-powered cold storage facilities help businesses generate more revenue. Businesses with no proper storage facilities are forced to sell their products right after the harvest at whatever price is offered to them. But reliable storage solutions like solar-powered warehouses and cold storage enable businesses to extend the shelf life of their perishable products and wait till the right time to sell. They can sell products at better prices once the peak season arrives.
3. Modular and portable
Businesses can easily increase the capacity of their solar cold rooms as they are modular. They can also be moved easily from one place to another, which gives enough flexibility, especially for businesses in the agricultural industry, during peak production periods. You can get in touch with a top solar company in India to get solar solutions customized for your needs.
How do solar-powered warehouses and cold storage facilities work?
Solar warehouses and cold storages run on power generated by solar. Businesses have the option to switch to the grid on cloudy days. Solar cold rooms store the cooling energy in a thermal storage system. This backup system eliminates dependency on the grid or diesel generators. When sunlight is not available, the thermal storage system meets the cooling needs.
Solar-powered warehouses and cold storage facilities are indeed game-changers for handling perishables. While consumers get products in fresh conditions, farmers and businesses can significantly increase profitability. It reduces perishable produce wastage and contributes to food security. A lot of businesses have benefited from solar-powered storage systems and they can cut down electricity bills by half. Sustainability is an ever-present concern today for business owners and businesses can move towards sustainable practices while easily reducing costs with the aid of solar technology.
Tech Solar is a leading solar EPC company in India providing solar solutions for businesses across industries. With deep technical expertise in solar technology, we drive efficiency and productivity for businesses with constant innovation. Get in touch with us for more information on solar energy solutions India.
