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Nivalis buys SolarEdge, paving the way for solar powered reefer trailers in the US

Nivalis Energy has already established itself as a pioneer in the electric refrigerated trailer space, and their acquisition of the SolarEdge e-Mobility business is going to help them pull ahead even further – with the power of the sun!

Nivalis brought their patented TRU-POWER solution to this year’s ACT Expo in Las Vegas, showing off the battery-powered refrigeration trailer they’ve been selling to North American fleets for the past few years. This acquisition, however, significantly expands Nivalis’ potential product line and gives them a quick entry into European markets as well through SolarEdge’s existing EU customer base.

The SolarEdge e-Mobility acquisition, which closed on February 11, gives Nivalis access to the company’s engineering and R&D capabilities – including a new 3rd Generation platform that combines rooftop solar panels, an e-axle equipped with regenerative braking technology, and the ability to charge its batteries from the grid to ensure maximum range and autonomy for the reefer trailer.

“Refrigerated transport has remained a major diesel-dependent element of the cold chain, and operators are increasingly realizing that electrified refrigeration is no longer simply a sustainability discussion,” says Sam Plunkett, CEO of Nivalis Energy Systems, “it’s become a commercial and operational one.”

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Solar trucking works


Truck trailer with rooftop solar; via SolarEdge.

It’s important to understand that this isn’t a concept thing. SolarEdge has been selling solar panel-equipped refrigerated trailers to florists, grocers, and pharma companies in Europe for years, and companies like Protran and Sunswap Endurance have been hauling solar-cooled foods across Australia, from Brisbane to Sydney and back, in extreme heat, making all the stops, and completed the tour in the same three days the diesel boys get.

“The challenge is no longer proving electrified refrigeration can work,” adds Plunkett, “it’s helping fleets understand how commercially and operationally viable these systems have now become.”

To that end, Nivalis is at ACT Expo this week showing visitors to their booth how they can apply Federal, state, and local utility incentives across different markets that can, they claim, support up to 100% of the cost of electrified refrigeration systems and dramatically de-risk the initial transition away from diesel-powered refrigeration for more refrigerated transport fleets who are hesitant to be among the first adopters.


SOURCE | IMAGES: Nivalis, via Fleet Equipment, Sustainable Truck & Van.


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Avatar for Jo Borrás Jo Borrás

I’ve been in and around the auto industry for over thirty years, and have written for a number of well-known outlets like CleanTechnica, Popular Mechanics, the Truth About Cars, and more. You can catch me at Electrek Daily’s Quick Charge, The Heavy Equipment Podcast, or chasing my kids around Oak Park, IL