In Rajasthan, the Raika community has adopted solar-powered instant milk chillers to preserve camel milk, significantly increasing their income. Over 200 farmers now use the chillers, with many reporting a fourfold rise in earnings. The initiative, led by the SELCO Foundation, the Desert Resource Centre, and NGO Urmul Seemant Samiti, leverages the region’s abundant solar energy to operate chillers that cool milk to 7°C within six minutes.

The chillers, costing Rs 650,000 (~$7,731.77) each, can process up to 500 litres of milk daily. Farmers access loans from rural banks to cover costs, with contributions from ground partners and end-users. The technology features a cloud-based monitoring system for remote issue resolution and includes a cleaning mechanism. Farmers receive training in operation and maintenance. Previously, cultural taboos prevented the sale of camel milk, and a lack of preservation facilities limited income opportunities. Today, farmers like Gainaram, who owns 300 camels, report daily earnings of Rs 3,800 (~$45.29).

Solar-powered cold storage has broader applications in rural India, with five-metric-ton units costing Rs 1.20 million equipped with 5-kW solar panels. In 2021, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) sought feedback on design specifications for solar cold storage, aiming to enhance sustainable practices in agriculture and livestock farming. "