The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued draft guidelines outlining design, specifications, performance, and testing procedures for solar cold storage systems with thermal energy storage (TES) backup.
These guidelines establish standardised parameters for 2 metric tonnes (MT), 5 MT, 10 MT, and 20 MT capacity cold storages, specifying minimum operating temperatures of -5°C, 1°C, and 4°C. Cold storage units, constructed with polyurethane foam for insulation, rely on refrigeration units to circulate cold air and maintain optimal storage conditions. The guidelines mandate that solar energy fully power these systems, ensuring baseline performance by enabling precooling of 10 per cent of total storage capacity over two days. TES capacity must be sufficient to provide cooling without reliance on solar or grid electricity, with the system designed to capture excess solar energy to enhance precooling or extend autonomy during overcast conditions.