§1What this business is
The cooler works on 220 volt single-phase mains and on 24 V DC from a battery that a 25 W solar panel charges, so it keeps running in small towns and villages when the power is cut. The unit makes the plastic body parts from plastic granules using its own dies, finishes them, and then fits the fan motor, pump motor, speed and pump switches, wiring, the solar panel and the battery leads. Each cooler is assembled, tested and packed. The profile says portable models for offices and shops are also possible.
Capacity: 3,600 coolers a year at ₹12,700 each, total value ₹4,57,20,000. The raw material table is for 300 coolers a month. Single shift, 300 days a year, at 75% efficiency.
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
Someone who already makes or sells coolers or solar products and has dealers in small towns and rural markets.
Who it is not for
Someone who cannot arrange about ₹1 crore of working capital or wait through the off-season.
Advantages
- Runs during power cuts, which the profile says is a basic need in small towns and villages
- Fixed capital is small (₹8,70,000) next to the turnover
- Motors, solar panels, batteries and switches are all bought ready-made
- Break-even in the profile is 43.70%
Drawbacks
- Working capital is very large — ₹1,00,50,750 for 3 months
- The solar panel and battery together cost ₹7,000 of the ₹12,700 selling price, so the cooler is costly for a village buyer
- The profile budgets ₹4,00,000 for dies but lists no moulding machine — settle how the plastic bodies will be moulded before you start
- Coolers sell mainly in summer, so stock builds up in other months
Skills you need
- Electrical assembly and wiring for mains and battery supply
- Testing with a high-voltage tester, megger and meters
- Getting plastic bodies moulded and finished well
- Building a dealer network before the summer season
Why difficulty 4/5: Simple assembly, but a seasonal product that needs about ₹1 crore of working capital.
§3Market
Who buys
- Households in small towns and villages with frequent power cuts
- Shops and small offices that want a portable cooler
- Cooler and appliance dealers
- Solar product dealers
How it sells
- Sale through appliance and cooler dealers before summer
- Sale through solar product shops
- Direct sale in rural markets and fairs
Good to know
- The profile calls this a new concept in India and expects demand to grow because it saves electricity.
- The profile prices one cooler at ₹12,700.
- The profile says the unit may use the common test facilities of government electronics and MSME testing centres.
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bench vice | 2 | ₹16,000 |
| Cooling ducts | 3 | ₹48,000 |
| Drilling machine, ½ inch capacity | 1 | ₹24,000 |
| High-voltage tester | 1 | ₹17,000 |
| Ammeter and voltmeter | 2 | ₹4,000 |
| Megger (insulation tester) | 1 | ₹7,000 |
| Solar battery connectors | 2 | ₹5,000 |
| Digital multimeter | 1 | ₹5,000 |
| Watt meter | 1 | ₹4,000 |
| Variable transformer (8 amp) | 1 | ₹6,000 |
| Dies for cooler bodies | 3 types | ₹4,00,000 |
| Finishing and cutting tools | — | ₹20,000 |
From: MSME-DI Ranchi project profile — Electric / Solar Cooler (2021)
- Solar panel, 25 W300 a month at ₹4,000 each = ₹12,00,000
- Battery, 36 AH (the kind used in cars)300 a month at ₹3,000 each = ₹9,00,000
- Fan motor300 a month at ₹1,500 each = ₹4,50,000
- Plastic granules1,800 kg a month at ₹110 per kg = ₹1,98,000
- Pump motor300 a month at ₹300 each = ₹90,000
- 3-core cable sets, 3 m each300 sets a month at ₹180 = ₹54,000
- Speed switches and pump switches300 a month at ₹120 = ₹36,000
- Packing boxes300 a month at ₹110 = ₹33,000
- Screws, nuts, washers and steel spring rod250 kg a month at ₹80 per kg = ₹20,000
- Wiring sets300 sets a month at ₹60 = ₹18,000
- Packing tape100 rolls a month at ₹45 = ₹4,500
From: MSME-DI Ranchi project profile — Electric / Solar Cooler (2021)
§5Licences & registration
- Udyam registration
- GST registration
- Factory licence
- Trade licence from the local body
- BIS certification where a Quality Control Order applies
- State Pollution Control Board consent where applicable
Start it in your state
Pick your state: today’s cost, central + state subsidy, raw material, land and help, on one page.
§6Schemes & subsidies
At ₹1,09,21,000 the project is above the PMEGP ceiling of ₹50 lakh for manufacturing. CGTMSE covers loans up to ₹10 crore without collateral; most of the need is working capital, so talk to the bank about a cash-credit limit.
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: The premises are rented. Fixed capital ₹8,69,600, rounded to ₹8,70,000 (machinery and test equipment ₹1,36,000, electrification ₹13,600, office equipment, furniture and working tables ₹2,00,000, three types of dies ₹4,00,000, finishing and cutting tools ₹20,000, pre-operative expenses ₹1,00,000) + working capital for 3 months ₹1,00,50,750 = ₹1,09,20,750, rounded to ₹1,09,21,000.
Working capital: Recurring cost is ₹33,50,250 a month: raw material ₹30,54,000, staff ₹1,95,250, utilities ₹15,000 and other expenses ₹86,000 (including rent). The profile keeps 3 months of this, ₹1,00,50,750, as working capital.
§8Export potential
The profile prints no HS code and does not discuss exports; it is written for the home market.
§9Risks — where people fail
- A weak summer or late stock leaving coolers unsold
- Battery and solar panel prices changing the cost sharply
- Warranty claims on batteries, motors and pumps
- Dealers buying on credit and paying after the season
§1030 / 60 / 90-day plan
A general plan that applies to any business. A plan for this business will be added after research.
- Days 1–30: Visit a working solar and electric air cooler (dual-power) unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
- Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (Udyam registration, GST registration), a project report (DPR), and the scheme or loan file.
- Days 61–90: Space and machines, trial production, and first deliveries to 10 customers.
§11Who to connect with
§12Watch
There is no episode on this business yet. Shows are coming soon on the Podcast page.
Want to start Solar and Electric Air Cooler (Dual-Power)?
DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.
¶Sources
Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.