Solar Powered Cold Storage Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Photovoltaic Operated Refrigeration Cycle, Solar Mechanical Refrigeration, Absorption Refrigeration), By Industry, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2030

Solar Powered Cold Storage Market Summary

In developing regions where electricity infrastructure is unreliable or lacking, solar-powered cold storage provides a viable solution to preserve perishable goods. Additionally, the rising need for temperature-sensitive storage for vaccines and pharmaceuticals, especially in remote areas, has further fueled demand. As climate change progresses and energy costs increase, industries are actively seeking cleaner alternatives to traditional diesel- or grid-powered cold chains. Technological advancements are shaping the future of the solar-powered cold storage industry. Innovations in solar panel efficiency, battery storage systems, and thermal insulation materials have greatly improved the performance and reliability of solar-powered refrigeration units. The integration of IoT-enabled monitoring systems enables remote temperature control and fault diagnostics, enhancing asset reliability and product safety. Emerging technologies such as solar thermal refrigeration and phase change material (PCM) cooling are being explored to optimize energy usage. Modular, plug-and-play cold storage solutions are also gaining traction for their portability and ease of deployment in off-grid or disaster-prone areas.

Investments in solar-powered cold storage solutions are rising globally, especially in regions where food security and rural electrification are top priorities. Governments, non-profits, and private investors are supporting pilot programs and scalable deployments in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In the U.S., federal and state incentives for clean energy are motivating agricultural and logistics operators to adopt solar refrigeration technologies. Companies like SunDanzer, CoolBot, and BoxPower are drawing investment by providing niche solutions that address sustainable agriculture and off-grid infrastructure.

The regulatory landscape is evolving to support the adoption of renewable-powered cold storage. Policies promoting decarbonization and clean energy adoption, such as the Inflation Reduction Act in the U.S., provide financial incentives for solar and energy storage systems, indirectly benefiting the cold storage sector. International development agencies and sustainability programs are integrating solar cold chain investments into rural electrification and food preservation strategies. Furthermore, increasing food safety standards and cold chain compliance regulations are encouraging investments in temperature-controlled logistics, including solar-powered alternatives where grid infrastructure is lacking.

Despite its promise, the solar-powered cold storage market faces several challenges. High upfront capital costs for integrated solar and refrigeration systems remain a barrier, particularly for smallholder farmers and micro-enterprises. Limited awareness and technical expertise among end-users often hinder adoption. Furthermore, maintenance and reliability issues in extreme weather conditions, especially in remote or under-resourced areas, can affect long-term usability.

Type Insights

The photovoltaic operated refrigeration cycle segment accounted for the largest share of 58.6% in 2024. Photovoltaic-operated systems can be easily integrated with existing vapor compression refrigeration units, allowing users to transition to solar with minimal infrastructure changes. This ease of retrofit encourages adoption among farmers, food distributors, and medical supply chains. Users can also hybridize systems, switching between solar and grid or diesel power as needed, providing both energy independence and operational flexibility.

The solar mechanical refrigeration segment is projected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Solar mechanical refrigeration systems, which utilize photovoltaic (PV) electricity to power traditional vapor-compression refrigeration cycles, are gaining popularity due to their higher efficiency and consistent cooling performance. These systems are well-suited for diverse ambient conditions, including areas with high temperatures and humidity. Unlike absorption or passive systems that may have temperature restrictions, mechanical refrigeration can maintain strict temperature ranges, making it ideal for cold chains in agriculture, food storage, and pharmaceuticals.

Industry Insights

The horticulture/floriculture industry segment held the largest market share of 46.4% in 2024. High post-harvest losses and the need for temperature control drive the growth of the market. Perishables like fruits, vegetables, and flowers begin to deteriorate almost immediately after harvest due to microbial activity, dehydration, and heat stress. Without adequate cold storage, up to 30-40% of produce can be lost before reaching markets, particularly in tropical and subtropical climates. Solar-powered cold storage provides an off-grid, sustainable solution that enables farmers to cool and store their goods at the source, extending freshness and reducing spoilage.

The pharmaceutical industry segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR of 11.5% during the forecast period. Global initiatives to improve healthcare access in remote and underserved regions, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, are driving the adoption of solar-powered refrigeration. In many of these areas, the electrical grid is unreliable or non-existent, making solar energy the most viable power source for cold chain equipment. Solar-powered cold storage allows clinics, mobile health units, and rural pharmacies to store vaccines and essential medicines safely, reducing medical waste and improving public health outcomes.

Regional Insights

The North America solar powered cold storage market held a significant share in 2024, driven by increased emphasis on renewable energy integration and advancements in solar and battery technologies. The region benefits from a mature cold chain infrastructure, and stakeholders are increasingly transitioning to clean energy solutions to meet corporate sustainability goals.

U.S. Solar Powered Cold Storage Market Trends

The U.S. solar powered cold storage industry held a dominant position in 2024, owing to companies' growing interest in pursuing energy-efficient and climate-resilient infrastructure. Rising energy costs and state-level clean energy mandates are prompting businesses to shift from grid-dependent systems to solar-integrated cold rooms.

Europe Solar Powered Cold Storage Industry Trends

The Europe solar powered cold storage industry was identified as a lucrative region in 2024. The growth in the region is attributed to its ambitious climate targets and strong regulatory framework supporting renewable energy. The European Union’s Green Deal and associated funding initiatives are encouraging the deployment of solar energy in agricultural and industrial cold chains.

The UK solar powered cold storage market is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years due to its investment in resilient and sustainable cold chain systems as part of its national Net Zero Strategy. With growing concerns about energy security and environmental sustainability, solar-powered cold storage is being adopted in horticulture, food processing, and pharmaceutical sectors.

The solar powered cold storage market in Germany held a substantial market share in 2024 due to the growing deployment of solar-powered cold storage systems, particularly in its agriculture and food export sectors. The country’s commitment to decarbonization and the Energiewende (energy transition) policy has encouraged the adoption of off-grid and hybrid solar refrigeration units.

Asia Pacific Solar Powered Cold Storage Market Trends

The Asia Pacific solar powered cold storage industry is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 11.3% during the forecast period. The growth in the region is fueled by rapid urbanization, growing food demand, and a lack of reliable grid infrastructure in rural areas. Governments across the region are investing heavily in solar energy as a means to bridge power gaps and improve cold chain logistics.

The Japan solar powered cold storage market is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. Japan is advancing in solar-powered cold storage technologies as part of its broader commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. High energy costs and limited land availability have prompted the adoption of rooftop and compact solar units in urban and peri-urban areas. The pharmaceutical and seafood sectors are among the primary adopters, supported by government-funded clean energy research and pilot programs.

The solar powered cold storage market in China held a substantial market share in 2024 due to substantial growth in solar-powered cold storage adoption, especially in rural and semi-urban regions where access to consistent electricity remains a challenge. Government initiatives such as the Rural Vitalization Strategy and subsidies for solar installations are accelerating the deployment of solar refrigeration in the agriculture and healthcare sectors.

Key Solar Powered Cold Storage Company Insights

Some of the key companies in the solar powered cold storage market include Ecozen Solutions, Sundanzer, ColdHubs, and Solar Freeze. Organizations are focusing on increasing their customer base to gain a competitive edge in the industry. Therefore, key players are taking several strategic initiatives, such as mergers and acquisitions, and partnerships with other major companies. 

• Ecozen Solutions is a climate-smart deep technology company focused on transforming the agricultural value chain through innovative and sustainable energy solutions. The company develops and manufactures advanced products such as solar pumping irrigation systems, solar pump controllers, solar cold storage rooms, and cold chain solutions aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and improving farmers' incomes. Its flagship offerings include Ecotron, a solar-powered irrigation controller, and Ecofrost, a solar cold storage room designed to preserve farm produce using renewable energy.

• ColdHubs designs, installs, commissions, and operates modular, 100% solar-powered walk-in cold storage units aimed at smallholder farmers, retailers, and wholesalers. These cold rooms, located near farms, fresh produce aggregation centers, and markets, provide off-grid, 24/7 refrigeration that extends the shelf life of perishable foods such as fruits and vegetables from about two days to up to 21 days, significantly reducing post-harvest losses and food spoilage. ColdHubs operates on a pay-as-you-store business model, allowing users to rent storage space affordably, which has helped increase farmers’ incomes and improve food security.

Recent Developments

• In May 2025, Copeland and Ecozen announced a strategic collaboration to deliver advanced solar-powered cold storage solutions tailored for India’s agricultural sector. This partnership leverages Copeland’s expertise in refrigeration technology and Ecozen’s leadership in climate-smart agricultural innovations, particularly their solar-powered cold storage systems. The joint effort aims to address the significant challenge of post-harvest losses faced by Indian farmers due to inadequate cold chain infrastructure.

• In April 2025, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a strategic alliance under India’s Ministry of Power, launched an initiative to tackle farm-level post-harvest losses by deploying solar-powered micro cold storage (SPMCS) units. The pilot unit was inaugurated in Bajaura, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). These decentralized cold storage units, each with a capacity of 5-10 metric tonnes, are specifically designed for small and marginal farmers, addressing the significant challenge of produce wastage at the farm gate, which accounts for nearly half of India’s annual post-harvest losses.

Solar Powered Cold Storage Market Report Scope

Global Solar Powered Cold Storage Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global solar powered cold storage market report based on type, industry, and region:

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

  • Photovoltaic Operated Refrigeration Cycle

  • Solar Mechanical Refrigeration

  • Absorption Refrigeration

• Industry Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

  • Horticulture/Floriculture Industry

  • Plastics and Chemical Industry

  • Pharmaceutical Industry

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

    • France

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • South Korea

    • Australia

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East and Africa (MEA)

    • KSA

    • UAE

    • South Africa