Solar-Powered Cold Storage System for Horticultural Crops

A solar photovoltaic-powered cold storage system has been developed for storage of fresh horticultural produce (6–7 tonne capacity) at Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal. Temperature and relative humidity controllers are fitted in the cold storage chamber to maintain desired room temperature (5–15 °C) and relative humidity (65–95%) for storage of horticultural produce. The battery backup was used for storage of solar power for operation of the cold storage system during night and cloudy weather. The shelf-life of fresh unripe mature mango (Dashari) was increased by 15 days in the cold storage as compared to 4 days at ambient storage during June month. Energy output from the solar power plant ranged from 67 to 110 kWh/day on sunny days in different months, which was sufficient to operate the cold storage unit.