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The Role of Solar Power in Reducing Energy Costs for Cold Storage Facilities

Solar installation

Cold storage facilities play a crucial role in the agricultural sector of India in the preservation of perishable items such as meat, dairy, and vegetables. However, maintaining these facilities is not easy. To maintain low temperatures, they need constant energy, which uses a lot of power. Because of this, cold storage facilities bear a heavy financial burden from electricity expenses. Hence, owners of cold storage facilities are looking for strategies to reduce expenses without compromising effectiveness due to increasing electricity rates. Solar installation offers a practical solution to meet energy demands and reduce costs.

In this blog, we will explore how solar services can revolutionise energy efficiency and reduce costs for cold storage facilities.

High Energy Demands of Cold Storage

Cold storage facilities are vital in India, where temperatures typically soar. To keep temperatures low, cold storage facilities need to use energy continuously. They operate nonstop to guarantee the products that are stored stay fresh. In fact, a sizable amount of operating costs in the cold storage sector are related to energy. This is particularly true in semi-urban and rural locations where power outages might occur, increasing expenses related to the need for backup generators.

Solar Power Integration in India

The integration of solar electricity into cold storage facilities has the potential to considerably reduce energy expenses. By installing solar panels, these facilities can generate their own electricity and become less reliant on the grid. When solar energy is harnessed during the day, it can be used to power the facility or to charge batteries for usage at night or on overcast days. Many parts of India see adequate sunlight for most of the year. For cold storage facilities, particularly those situated in regions with unstable grid supply, this makes solar power an excellent option. Facilities that install solar panels can benefit from solar battery storage, which allows operations to continue uninterrupted even in the event of a power outage.

Cost Savings through Solar Power

The potential for significant cost reductions is one of the main benefits of solar energy. Energy costs for cold storage facilities can be decreased by adopting solar solutions.

This is due to the reduced reliance on traditional grid power. Additionally, solar power can help offset peak demand charges, which occur when electricity usage spikes during high-demand periods. Cold storage facilities often face peak demand charges, especially during hot summers when cooling systems are working overtime. Solar installation allows facilities to generate consistent energy, reducing these charges and overall energy expenses.

Reliable and Consistent Energy 

In order to prevent perishable goods from spoiling, cold storage facilities need to have consistent temperature levels. Any disruption in the power supply can lead to massive losses. Solar power solutions guarantee that cold storage units continue to function even during blackouts when paired with battery storage. This is especially helpful in areas where electricity supply is erratic. Solar energy provides a dependable and renewable power source that keeps operations running smoothly without interruptions.

Environmental Benefits

In addition to cost savings and reliability, solar power offers significant environmental benefits. Solar energy is a clean, renewable source of power that doesn’t emit harmful greenhouse gases. For cold storage facilities, this means a smaller carbon footprint.

Cold storage is essential in preserving food and reducing wastage, but it also consumes a lot of energy, which can lead to high carbon emissions.  By adopting solar panel installation, cold storage operators in India can reduce their carbon emissions and contribute to the country’s sustainability goals. Solar power helps lower overall energy consumption and promotes greener operations.

VEMC’s Solar Services

VEMC provides end-to-end solar services that are tailored to the unique needs of cold storage facilities. VEMC’s expertise in solar installation helps businesses select the right setup, whether it’s rooftop solar panel installations, ground-mounted solutions, or hybrid systems. Our solutions are designed to optimise energy efficiency and reduce operational costs.

VEMC is your trusted partner for solar solutions. For more information on how solar power can benefit your business, contact us today at 022 4343 6655 or send us an email on marketing@vemc.co.in

Also Read-  Solar Panel Cleaning and Maintenance: Methods and Scheduling

How Effectively Do Solar Panels Work On A Cloudy Day?

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Solar panels essentially receive sunlight to convert into electricity which can be consumed. This is why they are usually installed in such a way that lets them receive maximum sunshine. However, what happens on days that are particularly cloudy? Do the solar panels still work when there is a significant cloud cover? This is a pertinent question that has a bearing on the functionality of your home or business’s solar power system. To answer it, yes, solar panels do work even when it’s cloudy. Let’s explore this further.

What effect does cloud coverage have on solar output? Factors like the quality of the solar panels and the density of the clouds determine this. Some solar panels work well in reflected light, which implies they can capture a broader spectrum of sunlight and can generate enough power even on overcast days. Usually, solar panels tend to work at 80% of maximum output when it’s cloudy. It takes extremely dense clouds that block the sun’s ray’s completely to prevent solar panels from working.

Let’s also take into account the fact that in big cities where rain and cloud prevail for much of the year, solar panel installations continue to be a rising trend. A major reason for this is the high cost of electricity in such places, and switching to solar panels can reduce electricity bills drastically. It is also an indication that solar panels can run well despite cloudy conditions.

Another factor is a phenomenon that takes place when the sun emerges from a cloud, which causes its light to become magnified due to refraction, thereby resulting in stronger solar radiation even on a cloudy day.

Besides, the main element in producing solar energy is daylight rather than sunlight. Photovoltaic (PV) panels can use either direct or indirect sunlight to capture solar energy to convert into photovoltaic energy, which subsequently gets converted into electricity. On cloudy days, the solar panels may not work at peak efficiency as on sunny days, but you can make up for the difference in solar output with storage solutions like solar net metering. With this, the required electricity can be drawn from the electrical grid even on cloudy days.

All in all, cloud cover is not a matter of concern when it comes to investing in solar energy. This is mainly because on cloudy days there is only a small dip in solar output which lasts a very brief period of time.

VEMC is a well-established solar services company that provides end-to-end project management services to its clients. We are ISO 9001:2015 certified and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services. For inquiries, contact us at +919819907445.