Beyond the Roof: Optimising Cold Storage Energy Profiles with Behind-the-Meter Solar

The Cold Storage Energy Challenge

For operators in food, beverage, and logistics, refrigeration represents a significant operational cost. Research indicates that cold storage facilities consume high levels of energy per square foot, with refrigeration often accounting for over 70% of the total electrical load. This high-demand profile creates a structural vulnerability to volatile grid pricing, but also presents a strategic opportunity for behind-the-meter solar integration.

The Financial Advantage of Onsite Generation

By generating power at the point of use, operators can reduce the volume of electricity purchased at market rates. Onsite behind-the-meter solar can deliver financial value by offsetting energy and delivery charges. Because refrigeration requires a consistent electrical load, businesses are often well-positioned to consume a high proportion of the solar energy generated on-site.

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Load Profile Alignment and Thermal Storage

Integrating Commercial Solar PV allows facilities to align generation with consistent refrigeration baseloads. Beyond direct solar usage, refrigeration assets can act as a form of thermal storage. By adjusting temperature set-points during peak solar generation hours, operators may store energy thermally to reduce compressor activity during non-generation periods. Note that thermal inertia limits must be strictly managed to maintain product safety and quality standards. When further supported by Battery Energy Storage, facilities can mitigate high demand charges by shaving peak electrical loads.

Funding Your Energy Transition

Finance Directors must evaluate the balance between capital expenditure and long-term operational resilience. We offer three primary routes to align energy strategy with corporate goals:

• Fully Funded Solar (PPA): Fix long-term energy rates with no upfront investment, though this typically results in lower lifetime savings than ownership as the investor retains tax benefits.
• Asset Finance: Retain system ownership while spreading costs over fixed terms.
• Outright Purchase: Direct ownership providing the highest potential for long-term operational value.

Explore our Funding overview to compare these models.

Pre-Feasibility Checklist for Site Managers

Indicator	Requirement	Next Step
Roof Integrity	Modern structure with load-bearing capacity	Engage a structural engineer for site survey
Electricity Usage	Consistent baseload profile	Analyze half-hourly meter data
Grid Connection	Available capacity for export	Request G99 grid capacity assessment
Energy Procurement	Reliance on time-of-use tariffs	Review current supply contract terms

Our Commitment to Stewardship

We view commercial solar as a technical infrastructure asset. Whether deploying new systems or providing Operations & Maintenance, the objective is to match the solar generation curve with the specific load profile of your refrigeration assets. To determine the technical viability of your site, contact our team to discuss your requirements. For further insights, visit our Knowledge Base or explore our Project case studies to see how similar sites have managed energy displacement.