As energy costs continue to climb and sustainability becomes a top priority for all Australian businesses, you might be wondering about solar-powered coolrooms – are they worth it? After all, we live and work in a sun-burnt country, and there’s certainly plenty of sunshine available for the solar panels to absorb.
What Are Solar-Powered Coolrooms
Solar-powered coolrooms are not that different from normal coolrooms except that they don’t use an electric motor to run the cooling system. Instead, a solar panel on the roof collects the energy from the sun, and this thermal energy converts the refrigerant from a gas to a liquid. As the liquid depressurises, it reverts back to a gas to keep the contents of the coolroom at the desired temperature.
The Key Benefits
Low Operating Costs
As a solar-powered coolroom only needs the rays of the sun to keep it at a constant temperature, your operating costs can be greatly reduced, as you’re not relying on mains power.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
As solar energy is renewable and clean without harmful pollutants, using a solar-powered coolroom will reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately, your carbon footprint.
Long Lifespan
Solar panels are designed to be weather-resistant and unaffected by adverse conditions such as heavy rain and hail. This means they have a long lifespan of up to 25 years.
Government Incentives
It’s a good idea to find out whether there are any government incentives you can tap into as these could help with your initial investment, and help reduce the cost.
Considerations Before You Invest
High Initial Investment Cost
Solar-powered coolrooms will cost more initially because you’ll need to factor in the cost of the solar panel, a storage battery, an inverter and the cool room panels, if you don’t already have them.
Larger Space Requirements
Apart from adequate roof area for the large solar panels, you’ll also need additional storage space for the battery and the inverter.
Performance Reliability
Depending on the season and where you’re located, you may experience lower power generation on cloudy or rainy days, meaning you’ll have to have a backup power source for your coolroom
Are They Worth It?
If you’re prepared to spend a little more to get your solar-powered coolroom installed and running, and you have enough storage space, then the energy savings alone would make this a worthwhile investment. You might even be eligible for government incentives if you choose this option for your business.
If you’re toying with the idea of switching to a solar-powered coolroom, why not give us a call here at Burton Industries on (03) 9729 8155 and we can discuss your options and let you know how we can help.