Solar panels for cooling deep-freezers

[In partnership with VEI]

Interest in the use of renewable energy sources for the local generation of electrical energy is increasing on a worldwide scale. This trend is also noticeable in Flanders. The total electrical energy generated by renewable sources in Flanders in 2000 was 170.4 GWh, and this rose to 1429.3 GWh in 2006. Photovoltaic panels comprise a fast-growing market. Figures from the VREG (the Flemish Regulation Entity for the Electricity and Gas market) show that the number of accredited generation installations being presented for Flemish green electricity certificates for photovoltaic systems in 2007 was 2,713 compared to just 417 in 2006.

Applications

Solar panels are not solely used in the residential sector; increasing numbers of photovoltaic installations are also being brought into operation in industry and the commercial sector. Companies and shops with large, flat roofs have very good potential for electricity generation from solar energy. Aside from the green electricity certificates, which guarantee a price of 45 eurocents per kWh generated for a period of 20 years, numerous other financial and fiscal incentives exist for companies deciding to fit a photovoltaic installation.

One application of photovoltaic panels that is becoming increasingly popular is the supply of the energy needed for cooling installations. Indeed, these cooling installations consume more energy during the summer months when energy generation from photovoltaic panels is also highest. During the winter months, the energy demand of cooling installations is lower, just like generation from the solar panels. Hence there are attempts to match the generation and consumption of electrical energy in this way.

One well-known example of using photovoltaic panels for powering cooling installations is the West-Flemish company Freeze & Store, which stores deep-frozen and chilled products for neighbouring companies. In 2007, the company Solarroof fitted 2,950 solar panels of the German brand Azure-Solar on the roofs of the company buildings, covering a surface area of 6,000 m2. This installation can generate a peak load of 450 kW and supplies approximately one quarter of the company’s electricity demand. The new installation also means the company’s annual CO2 emissions from electricity consumption have fallen by more than 250 tonnes. The freezer spaces for the storage of deep-frozen products are kept at a temperature of -22°C, this requiring more energy when the outside temperature is 20 to 25°C (as during the summer months) than when it is only 0 to 5°C (in the winter months). There is also a computer-controlled system that monitors the electricity generation for each space. Annual average energy generation for the panels at Freeze & Store amounts to 865 kWh per kW peak.

Sources

Provinciale ontwikkelingsmaatschappij West-Vlaanderen, Sustainable Enterprise Charter

Bvba Solarroof, References – Companies

Flanders Environmental Report (MIRA), Energy sector – Environmentally friendly energy generation – Electricity generation from renewable sources (green electricity)

Article courtesy of Electrical engineering department (ESAT)-ELECTA, KU Leuven
Author: Tom Loix

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