A food storage device which runs on solar energy could soon be rolled-out in India to help cut the nation’s food waste.

Named the SolerCool (pictured), the container has a solar panel covered roof that supplies energy to the cooler inside. The system also works as a solar generator, which stores energy to provide a cool transport of food items even after dark.

It is expected to help preserve crops on the way to the market as around 30-40% of harvest is lost due to lack of cold-chain facilities to store and transport food.

According to India’s Global Cold Chain Alliance, India is second to China in the food production industry worth $180 billion (£11.8bn) but the waste of food due to spoilage leads to a huge shortage.

The problem first came to the attention of researchers and students at the University of Cincinnati in the US during a “virtual trade mission” to India last year. They are now working in partnership with SimpliCool Technologies International for a cold storage business venture in India.