MNRE Forms Panel To Frame Norms For Solar Cold Storages

MNRE Forms Panel For Frame Norms For Solar Cold Storages

To boost the growth of solar-powered cold storages in the country, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a notification announcing the formation of a special panel. The ministry stated that this new Technical Committee will help review the draft specifications for solar cold storages.

“A Technical Committee has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Dr. A. K. Tripathi, Adviser, MNRE, to review the draft specifications of Solar Cold Storage prepared, along with the comments from stakeholders received, and to finalize the specifications and guidelines for solar cold storage,” the latest MNRE notification read.

According to the ministry, Dr. A. K. Tripathi, the Advisor to MNRE, has been appointed as the Chairman of the panel. Additionally, former Director General of the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), O. S. Sastry, has been included as a member of the panel.

Other members of the panel include Professor Mahendra Kumar Mohanty from the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) in Bhubaneswar, Professor G. Venkatarathnam from IIT-Madras, Shiva Reddy, Director of NISE, and a representative from the National Centre for Cold-chain Development (NCCD). Anil Kumar, Scientist-E from the R&D division of MNRE, has been appointed as the convener of the panel, the MNRE notification said.

Solar cold storages in India have emerged as an effective alternative for regions with weak grid connectivity or no grid connectivity. The integration of solar energy with cold storages ensures the seamless operation of these storage facilities by providing energy security.

Several Indian and global companies have invested in this technology to collaborate with farmers. These initiatives allow farmers to store perishable vegetables, fruits, and flowers, extending their shelf life and ensuring higher income. In many parts of the country, community cold storage systems have also been established, reducing the storage costs for farmers and providing easier access to storage facilities.