Food doesn’t rot because it’s harvested wrong. It rots because we don’t store it right. In Bangladesh, 30–40% of perishable crops spoil before they even reach markets. That’s not inefficiency—that’s robbery, done in slow motion. The solution? Cold storage. But powered by the sun.
The Most Important Part
A solar-powered cold storage unit isn’t just eco-friendly—it’s a life saver for farmers. It prevents loss, protects income, and creates an entire new revenue model. In rural Bangladesh, where electricity is unstable or expensive, solar tech turns light into livelihood.
The Market Situation: A Cool Opportunity
- 80% of vegetables in Bangladesh come from small farmers
- Most can’t store their crops for more than 1–2 days
- Cold storage capacity shortfall is over 1.5 million metric tons
- Govt & donors are pushing for solar agri-infrastructure
- Chilling tech demand is rising in potato, tomato, mango, milk sectors
This isn’t a “nice-to-have.” It’s a necessity baked in sunlight.
Project Plan: 200-Metric Ton Solar Cold Storage
Designed for vegetables, fruits, milk, and other perishables, with smart solar hybrid support.
| Component | Estimated Cost (BDT) |
|---|---|
| Land & Civil Works (10,000 sft) | 1,00,00,000 |
| Cold Room Construction (PUF Panels, 4 Units) | 60,00,000 |
| Cooling System (Refrigeration + Backup Gen) | 55,00,000 |
| Solar Power Plant (50KW, On-Grid Hybrid) | 90,00,000 |
| Battery Bank + Inverter (10 hrs Backup) | 35,00,000 |
| Water Drainage + Insulation + Lighting | 20,00,000 |
| Temperature Monitoring + IoT Control Panel | 15,00,000 |
| Solar Net Metering + Installation License | 10,00,000 |
| Branding, Launch, 6 Months Staff & OpEx | 45,00,000 |
| Total Project Budget | 4,30,00,000 |
This budget is scaled up 200% with modern solar+AI controls.
Operating Model
| User Type | Service Model | Expected Charges (BDT/ton/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Potato/Vegetable Farmer | Cold Rental Only | 1,200–1,500 |
| Milk Traders | Cold + Night Storage | 2,000–2,500 |
| Mango/Seasonal Fruit Exporter | Premium Cold + Packaging | 3,000–3,500 |
Offer loyalty discounts to co-ops and agri-groups.
Earning Projection (Monthly)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Occupancy (70%) | 140 MT |
| Avg Rental Revenue/MT | BDT 1,800 |
| Monthly Revenue | BDT 2,52,000 |
| Maintenance, Staff, Ops | BDT 90,000 |
| Loan EMI + Solar AMC | BDT 75,000 |
| Monthly Profit | BDT 87,000 |
Break-even: Within 4–5 years
Solar Payback: Around 6 years, but gives free energy for 15–20 years
Benefits That Matter
- Up to 30% price gain for farmers (can delay distress selling)
- Reduces food inflation in urban markets
- Solar cuts long-term energy costs by 60%
- Grants, subsidies available via IDCOL, World Bank, and donor programs
- Reduces diesel generator dependency—eco + economic win
RAYHANS Cold Storage Turnkey Services
We build chillers that warm rural economies. Here’s what we do:
- Site & civil layout for airflow and drainage
- Cold room design with German PUF technology
- Solar system design + IDCOL approval
- Temperature control & load-shedding automation
- Business model design for farmer payback
- Branding, packaging, and agri-buyer linkage support
- Project profile for bank funding and donor proposals
We don’t just build a room with AC. We build powerful, sun-backed micro-economies.
Final Takeaway
Every mango rotting in a village is money dying before it’s born. Cold storage isn’t about tech—it’s about justice. And when it’s run by the sun? That’s justice powered sustainably.