Dubai, UAE: The use of solar energy in the context of refrigeration has been comprehensively explored over the past few years. However, although a number of reputed journals have showcased the wide range of possibilities of such a sustainable power source that can be deployed, it appears that the technology still has a long way to go before it can be used in more practical applications.

Paul McGarrigle, Strategic Account Manager at Thermo King, affirming this, said that although using solar photovoltaic (PV) cells to power transport refrigeration systems has been explored, the scope of its implementation cannot be extended to run an independent system.

At Thermo King, the application of solar PV is primarily focused on protecting the reefer unit battery and to power internal lights, among other features, McGarrigle revealed. “It helps protect the integrity of the Thermo King system to ensure it does experience load loss,” he said, adding that but when it comes to sustaining a refrigeration unit on its own, the technology is simply not there yet.