ICS Cool Energy runs 7-day trial for solar-powered refrigerated container, delivering 24/7 operation at -18°C setpoint

Field test demonstrated ICS Cool Energy’s solar-powered cold store container can maintain precise temperature for frozen applications for over a week, even under adverse conditions.

ICS Cool Energy, an international market leader specialising in complete temperature control solutions for manufacturing process and facilities applications, has completed successful field trials of its new autonomous cold storage unit, providing real-world validation of an integrated approach to off-grid temperature control. The trial showed that the refrigerated container could maintain a -18°C setpoint for more than seven days without any connection to the grid, even under predominantly cloudy conditions.

The tested configuration combined ICS Cool Energy’s ultra-insulated 20-feet refrigerated container, featuring an integrated solar frame with photovoltaic (PV) panels, a dedicated DC transformer, and compact battery energy storage system from ICS Cool Energy’s hire fleet.

During the trial:

• The cold store operated continuously at a -18°C setpoint with ambient temperatures between +20°C and +30°C
• Solar power input during operation ranged from approximately 0.5 kW in rainy conditions to up to 4.5 kW in sunny conditions, offering a strong indication of system performance under variable weather.
• The 35 kWh back-up battery pack remained almost fully charged throughout the duration of the trial.

Throughout the test, despite limited sunshine, the installation remained fully autonomous and maintained precise temperature control under demanding site conditions. The results confirmed that diffuse daylight can also provide useful solar energy in low-sunlight conditions. Furthermore, the battery pack provided a reliable and clean back-up energy source, ensuring the reefer could deliver required cooling capacity without compromise.

Available for short-term and long-term rental, the off-grid refrigerated container responds to growing customer demand for more flexible, resilient and low-emission temporary cold storage solutions, particularly in locations where access to power is restricted or unreliable, while also enabling larger modular cold room installations in remote areas.

In addition to the refrigerated container, ICS Cool Energy also offers a standalone solar frame for customers looking to reduce energy consumption and electricity costs on existing cold storage units. The system can be scaled to meet different power requirements by varying the number of solar panels, allowing it to support larger cold storage units, including 40-foot containers. Where regulations permit, excess solar power can be exported to the grid; where it does not, the solar frame can supply direct power to the container, reducing grid demand and lowering operating costs.

“This trial is another proof point of how customers can overcome the constraints of operating in remote locations or restrictive environments, where reliable power is not always available,” said Chris Easterlow, Hire Sales Leader at ICS Cool Energy. “We help them meet those challenges by combining temperature control technology with energy management expertise and turnkey hire and service capabilities – doing whatever it takes to keep their industry running.”