Sensing an opening for affordable and reliable cooling technologies across the globe, Australian-based company Heuch has developed a suite of solar powered refrigeration solutions.
Originally designed for humanitarian applications in disaster stricken areas, the range rings true to the company’s vision of empowering businesses and communities.
“The 100 per cent solar powered cold chain provides communities and businesses with reliable and free access toelectricityand refrigeration, without the uncertainly of supply, health and monetary costs associated with diesel powered generators or creating a stable grid connection,” explained Martin Oakley, Heuch’s business development manager.
Heuch is currently working with the Indonesian government to provide an entire cold chain solution for remotefishing communities in the Asian nation, while also looking to develop a solar powered milk chiller to suit small scale dairy farmers in India.
The company made its entry into the European fresh produce market at Fruit Logistica in Berlin during February, where it showcased its solutions alongside Dutch firm BG Door.
Oakley said the company’s solar chiller was an instant hit with growers and distributors, following 18 months of research and development testing at itsmanufacturingfacility on the outskirts of Melbourne.
“The ability to set thedesired beginningof a cold chain at the point of harvest, without any additional infrastructure, was attractive to those growers focused on harvest time, whilst others, such as potato farmers, were attracted to the prospect of no cost cold storage to extend the saleable life of their product,”Oakley told Fruitnet.
“Our solar powered dryer also attracted attention from mango growers, looking for more quality andconsistencyin the drying of their mangoes.”
