From sunlight to savings, solar energy is the new game-changer in India’s dairy sector. Imagine using solar energy to cut down on dairy production costs—remarkable, isn’t it? For years, our ‘matribhoomi’ (motherland) choked on the burden of fossil fuel gases in milk production.

Despite holding the crown as the ‘World’s No. 1 milk producer’, India must make room for conserving energy in its dairy processing operations. 

Now, the time has arrived to embrace solar fuels instead of fossil fuels.

Reasons for using solar energy in India’s dairy sector 

  • Power cuts hindering milk testing process
  • Fluctuation in energy costs impacting milk production
  • Limited energy access for rural dairy farmers 
  • Poor security of dairy processing operations due to inadequate electricity

Energy Consumption in dairy processing industry

Let’s check some astonishing facts: cooling (20%), sterilization (16%), and evaporation (12%) contribute significantly to heat demands in Indian dairy operations. Additionally, energy costs for dairy farming vary from 20-25% of total cost {based on farm size}. 

Source: Solar Paycheck, 2020

Sounds alarming? Well, we’ve got good news for you.

The secret ingredient for dairy success lies in the sun’s power. You’ll be amazed to learn that the heating potential in India’s dairy sector requires a total energy of 6.40 PJ/annum. Sharma et al. 2017 claimed this can lessen to 4.50 PJ per annum in the pasteurization stage due to solar industrial process heating (SPIH).

To learn more, visit https://dollons.com/blog/future-of-dairy-manufacturing-in-india/

Adoption of solar energy in dairy processing

Table: Benefits of solar energy based on dairy processing areas and temperatures

Solar Energy: Rise of a renewable horizon in dairy processing 

Popular cases to look for 

a. Bhuj Solar Pond- A 6000 m2 solar pond was constructed in Bhuj’s dairy processing plant. This pond has the capacity to attain a maximum temperature of 99.88°C.

b. Solar Heater– Mahanand dairy in Maharashtra provides a temperature of 30°C- 85 °C in solar water heating system (25000 LPD). The boiler is used to heat milk for energy generation as part of the Maharashtra Energy Development Agency initiative.

c. Off-grid solar plant– A 200 kW plant installed in Sapiens, Kochi transforming the dairy plant with Integrated Energy Management System (IEMS). It also includes battery charging stations, operational even during monsoons and low sunlight conditions.

d. Solar concentrator system (SCT)– Chitale Dairy, Maharashtra, uses the Fresnel Parabolic Dish for milk pasteurization at 152˚C. It also installed the Arun-160 solar boilers reducing 110-130 tons of carbon emission per year.

Upcoming projects you shouldn’t miss

Source: Amul, 2024 |Solar Lightning Up These Eight Sectors 

AMUL 

Amul’s team builds a roadmap to optimize energy for 36 million dairy farmers through solar energy. Its main vision is to install a renewable power machine reducing 21,00,000 kWh/annum energy. Mr. Amit Vyas, Managing Director of Amul, announced the sustainability mission for 2030:

  • 35% CO2 emission reduction
  • 50% decrease in groundwater withdrawal.

NDDB

National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) plans for 15-20 projects in a solar thermal energy scheme for milk pasteurization.  This will include washers, boilers, and feed water tanks for plant configuration efficiency.

Conclusion

Thus, to secure dairy processing functions, it’s mandatory to gain control over energy emissions. Dollons looks forward to implementing solar energy for sustainable growth in the milk supply. 

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Referred articles:

  1. Patel, R., Patel, A.D., & Upadhaya, J. B., (2016). Use of Renewable Energy in Dairy Industry. International Journal of Advance Research and Innovation. Vol. 4(2), 71-77
  2. Sharma, A. K., Sharma, C., Mullick, S. C., & Kandpal, T. C. (2017). Potential of solar industrial process heating in the dairy industry in India and consequent carbon mitigation. Journal of cleaner production, 140, 714-724.

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