Copeland, a global provider of sustainable heating, cooling, cold-chain and industrial solutions, has partnered with Ecozen to develop an innovative solar-powered cold storage system aimed at benefiting rural communities across India. Featuring Copeland's cutting-edge ZBW variable-speed compressors and integrated with Ecozen's solar technology, the system delivers a wide frequency range to ensure greater reliability, reduced energy consumption and faster pull-down during peak loads for off-grid farm-level cold rooms.
This solution enables up to 17 per cent power savings* through variable-speed compressor operation and enhanced-vapor-injection scroll technology, ensuring optimum utilisation of solar power. Its multi-refrigerant capability includes low-global-warming-potential (GWP) options, making it a versatile choice for varying climates and environmental standards.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that 30–40 per cent of food production is lost before reaching the market. By safeguarding produce in an efficient, sustainable cold chain, this breakthrough tackles critical post-harvest losses and transforms local agricultural practices to ensure perishables reach those who need them most.
Since its roll-out across India, the refrigeration system—now installed with over 300 of Copeland's variable-speed compressors—has achieved a reduction of around 22 tonnes of CO₂ emissions for each 5-tonne cold room*. Operating entirely off-grid, primarily on solar power and thermal energy storage, it guarantees uninterrupted cooling even during low solar-insolation periods or the monsoon season, significantly lowering farmers' operational costs.
Commenting on its impact, Jagadish Keswani, President for India, Middle East and Africa at Copeland, said,
"Faced with rising demand for perishable goods and evolving e-commerce infrastructures, India's agriculture sector requires smart refrigeration that is both sustainable and energy-efficient. Our enhancement of Ecozen's solar cold rooms with ZBW variable-speed compressors empowers farmers to reduce food waste and preserve produce quality, delivering reliable cooling even under low-solar conditions."
Alok Nikhade, AVP – Technology at Ecozen, added,
"As sustainable solutions become ever more vital for agriculture, our partnership with Copeland has substantially boosted our solar cold-room capabilities. Together, we enable farmers to store crops more efficiently, minimise waste and extend shelf life—ultimately increasing their incomes. Renewables are driving the future of Indian agriculture towards sustainability and prosperity."
Beyond efficiency gains, the compressor and vapour-injection sub-assembly weight has been reduced by up to 15 per cent, making the system more compact and user-friendly. This revolutionary solution is transforming post-harvest practices, improving crop preservation and enhancing farmers' livelihoods.