Sectors · Cold storage & food
Solar Panels and PPAs for Cold Storage and Food
Last updated 15 October 2026 · Figures indicative
Short answer: Cold stores and food processors suit solar because refrigeration runs around the clock and works hardest on warm, sunny afternoons — when panels produce the most. That close match keeps self-consumption high, and a battery can carry stored solar into the evening peak.
Why cold storage & food suits solar
- Compressor load rises with outside temperature, tracking the solar curve through summer.
- Constant base load means almost no midday surplus.
- Batteries can shift surplus into the 4–7pm DUoS red band.
- Food retailers increasingly require suppliers to report and cut emissions.
Typical system size and savings
A chilled distribution store with a 400kWp system, using 1,800,000 kWh a year. Generation at 900 kWh/kWp, 90% used on site, grid at 26p/kWh and a PPA at 12p/kWh.
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Annual generation | 360,000 kWh |
| Solar used on site | 324,000 kWh (18% of demand) |
| Year-1 PPA saving vs grid | £45,360 |
| Carbon avoided | ≈72 tCO₂e/yr |
Grid rate within 24–28p/kWh (August 2026); PPA rate within 10–14p/kWh; carbon factor 0.2 kgCO₂e/kWh. Exported power is normally the provider's.
Roof and site considerations
- Insulated composite panel roofs need fixings approved by the panel manufacturer.
- Roof-mounted condensers and plant reduce usable space and need maintenance access.
- Food-safety zones may limit when installers can work near open areas.
- Check fire-safety design carefully over insulated panels.
Funding options for cold storage & food
A PPA suits operators who want predictable energy costs without capital. Adding a battery to the PPA, or as a separate service, can raise savings where evening load is high. Compare routes in our commercial solar finance guide and the PPA vs buying comparison, or read our complete guide to solar PPAs.
Sector-specific risks
- Roof construction: some insulated panels can't take standard fixings.
- Resilience: solar alone doesn't keep refrigeration running in a power cut; that needs specific battery design.
- Hygiene: work method statements must respect food-safety controls.
Related sectors
Solar for cold storage & food: FAQs
Is solar worth it for a cold store?
Usually yes. Refrigeration demand is highest on warm, sunny days, so a cold store uses nearly all of its solar output on site — the best case for a PPA. Savings depend on your grid rate and the PPA rate offered.
Can solar keep refrigeration running in a power cut?
Not on its own. Grid-tied solar shuts down during an outage for safety. Keeping critical loads running needs a battery designed for backup with suitable switching, which costs more.
Should a cold store add a battery?
Often worth modelling. A battery stores any midday surplus and can reduce grid use during expensive evening periods. Use half-hourly data to check the extra savings cover the cost.
Can panels go on insulated composite roofs?
Generally yes, using fixings approved by the roof panel manufacturer to protect insulation and fire performance. A roof survey confirms the right system.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Greenhouse gas reporting: conversion factors (DESNZ)
- legislation.gov.uk — The Non-Domestic Rating (Plant and Machinery) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022, SI 2022/405
- HMRC — Capital allowances: Annual Investment Allowance and first-year allowances
- Energy Networks Association — G98 and G99 connection requirements
- European Commission JRC — PVGIS photovoltaic yield tool
Price ranges for larger systems, running costs, batteries and PPA rates are indicative market ranges from UK installer, funder and market sources; no official series exists above 50kWp.
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