ShareIndia: Himachal Pradesh launched its first solar-powered cold storage
This pilot project brings clean energy to crop storage, aiming to cut losses and support small farmers.
On April 16, 2025 , India’s sub-himalayan state Himachal Pradesh inaugurated its first solar-powered micro cold storage unit in Kullu, a rural district in the northern part of the state. The project is part of a broader push to curb significant post-harvest losses, which affect nearly half of farm produce at the source.
The system, set up at a local demonstration orchard, runs on solar energy and includes a 36-hour thermal backup to ensure reliable refrigeration even in off-grid conditions.
Funded with support from the Asian Development Bank, the pilot may soon be replicated across the state. Authorities plan to deploy more of these 5–10 tonne cold storage units, offering government subsidies to make them accessible for small farmers.
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