Cold storage & food processing
Commercial solar for cold storage & food processing
Cold storage and food processing sites carry some of the heaviest, most constant electricity loads in UK industry — chiefly refrigeration.
Cold storage and food processing sites carry some of the heaviest, most constant electricity loads in UK industry — chiefly refrigeration. That makes them outstanding candidates for on-site solar PV and battery storage, cutting a major cost with no upfront investment.
Refrigeration never stops, and it dominates the energy bill at cold stores, chilled warehouses and food factories. A large, near-constant load means almost all the solar you generate is consumed on site — the ideal conditions for strong savings.
Battery storage adds resilience for temperature-critical operations and helps manage expensive peak-time demand, while on-site generation reduces exposure to grid price rises that hit refrigeration-heavy businesses hardest.
Why it fits
Why cold storage & food processing suit solar & battery
Refrigeration = huge self-use
Round-the-clock cooling load means you use the solar you generate, giving excellent returns on a large array.
Manage peak demand
Battery storage helps shave costly peak-rate periods and supports capacity charges on refrigeration-heavy sites.
Resilience for critical stock
On-site power and storage add a layer of protection for temperature-sensitive product during grid instability.
Meet retailer carbon asks
Supplying supermarkets often means carbon reporting; on-site renewables are a clear, auditable reduction.
Fund it your way
Zero upfront, or own it outright
Most cold storage & food processing choose a PPA for zero upfront cost and a fully managed system. If you would rather own the asset and claim the tax benefits, hire purchase or outright purchase (CapEx) may suit you better.
Questions
Cold storage & food processing solar FAQs
Refrigeration runs 24/7 — how does solar help at night?
Daytime cooling is covered directly by solar; battery storage lets you carry self-generated or cheaper off-peak energy into the night to keep offsetting refrigeration cost around the clock.
Can we add storage without solar?
Yes. A standalone battery PPA can still cut costs by storing cheaper off-peak energy and discharging during expensive peak periods — useful for high-usage cold stores in low-sunlight areas.
More industries
Solar for other sectors
Explore commercial solar, battery storage, funding options or read our guide to PPAs.
Ready to cut your cold storage & food processing energy bills?
Get a free, no-obligation proposal — a tailored system design and a fixed rate at least 30% below your current supplier.