The Missing Step · Chapter 4 Field Tool: 5-MT Walk-In Cold Room Stop-Rule

5-MT Walk-In Cold Room Crate-Day & Subsidy Breakeven Calculator

Before you sign a machinery quotation for a ₹12 lakh–₹16 lakh solar-assisted cold room, test how many active harvest days and paid plastic crates your cluster actually delivers across the year. Based on Chapter 4 (Rent Cold Storage by the Crate).

1. Chamber Capacity, Crop Calendar & Power

Standard 5-MT walk-in chamber holds 200 perforated crates at 25 kg each (5,000 kg).
Single-crop litchi or mango lasts 35–45 days (fails breakeven). Pair summer fruit + monsoon vegetables + winter cole/seed potato to cross 135 days.
Typical village gate rate: ₹5–₹8 per crate/day (₹0.20–₹0.32/kg/day) or equivalent own-account glut hold spread.
PUF panels, refrigeration unit, 5-kW solar array + thermal backup/PCM plates, and 200 plastic crates.
Includes 3-phase LT commercial fixed demand charge, helper wages, and condenser maintenance.

2. Crate-Day Economics, Debt Service & Stop-Rule Verdict

Paid Crate-Days / Year
21,000
Gross Annual Revenue
₹1,47,000
Breakeven Active Days
132 days
Pre-Subsidy DSCR
1.24x
Annual Operating & Fixed Demand Expenses₹99,000
Net Operating Surplus (EBITDA)₹48,000
Bank Term Loan (65% of Capex @ 11% for 6 Yrs, Pre-Subsidy)₹2,14,900 / yr
Eligible 35% PMFME / MIDH Reserve Subsidy (Locked 3 Yrs)₹5,07,500
Annual Debt Service After Reserve Subsidy Adjustment (Yr 4+)₹99,200 / yr
10-Doc Bank Loan Checklist (PDF) FPO Cashbook Template (PDF)