PUNE, 22 May 2025: In a significant move to enhance India's agricultural infrastructure, Copeland, a global leader in sustainable heating and cooling technologies, has partnered with agritech startup Ecozen to deploy solar-powered cold storage systems across rural India.
This collaboration aims to address the critical issue of post-harvest losses, which the Food and Agriculture Organization estimates at 30–40?fore produce reaches the market.
The integrated solution combines Copeland’s advanced ZBW variable speed compressors with Ecozen’s solar technology, resulting in high-efficiency refrigeration systems capable of operating in off-grid environments. These systems ensure stable temperature control, lower energy consumption, and improved reliability—crucial for preserving perishable goods immediately after harvest.
Since their deployment, over 300 variable speed compressors have been installed in Ecozen’s solar-powered cold rooms, each contributing to a reduction of approximately 22 tons of CO₂ emissions for every 5-ton capacity unit. The enhanced vapor injection (EVI) feature in these systems increases energy efficiency by up to 17%, enabling fully off-grid operation and reducing farmers’ dependence on conventional energy sources.
Jagadish Keswani, President for Copeland in India, the Middle East, and Africa, emphasized the growing demand for reliable and energy-efficient cold storage solutions within India’s expanding agricultural and e-commerce sectors. He noted that Copeland’s technology has enhanced Ecozen’s solar cold storage systems, enabling farmers to minimize post-harvest losses and maintain crop freshness even in remote locations.
Alok Nikhade, Ecozen’s AVP of Technology, highlighted how the collaboration has strengthened the company’s capabilities to provide scalable, renewable energy-based solutions for Indian agriculture. The updated system not only improves crop preservation but also supports higher incomes by extending market viability and reducing spoilage. For instance, dragon fruit stored in these units can be sold at four times the typical off-season price.
By harnessing solar power and thermal energy storage, the cold rooms offer uninterrupted performance—even during monsoons or periods of reduced sunlight—while cutting operating costs. This solution supports farmers in improving the quality and shelf life of their produce, with tangible economic benefits.
Copeland and Ecozen’s partnership represents a significant step toward sustainable agriculture in India, providing farmers with the tools to reduce waste, increase profitability, and contribute to a more resilient food supply chain.
