Solar Panels for Cold Storage and Pack Houses

Farm cold stores and pack houses consume enormous amounts of electricity for refrigeration, and solar panels are the most effective way to reduce these costs. The natural alignment between peak cooling demand and peak solar generation, combined with thermal storage capabilities, makes cold stores an ideal solar investment.

Why Cold Stores Excel for Solar

The continuous refrigeration demand of cold storage creates consistently high self-consumption rates, while thermal storage capabilities extend solar benefits beyond daylight hours.

Thermal Storage Optimisation Strategy

Cold stores offer a unique advantage over other buildings: the stored products themselves act as a thermal battery. Here is how solar and cold storage are optimised together to maximise savings.

Cold Store Solar Returns

Cold Storage Solar FAQs

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Related Farm Building Solar Pages

Explore solar solutions for other agricultural building types.

Highlights

• Morning Pre-Cool Phase
• As solar generation ramps up (8-10am), refrigeration compressors run at full capacity, bringing cold rooms 1-2C below target temperature. Products absorb and store the extra cold.
• Peak Solar Exploitation
• During midday peak (10am-3pm), maximum solar output powers compressors, lighting, and packing equipment. Excess generation further over-cools the store or exports to the grid.
• Afternoon Coasting
• As solar output declines (3-6pm), the thermal mass maintains temperatures without heavy compressor use. The pre-cooled products release stored cold energy gradually.
• Overnight Maintenance
• Minimal refrigeration needed overnight as thermal mass maintains near-target temperatures. Grid electricity only powers brief compressor top-up cycles and lighting.

• Small cold store (500m² floor)
• 75-100kW
• £20,000-£30,000/yr
• Medium pack house (1,000m² floor)
• 150-200kW
• £40,000-£60,000/yr
• Large grading facility (2,000m²+)
• 300-500kW
• £80,000-£150,000/yr