Media Contact
Geraldine Velner
+32 493282676
geraldine.velner@tranetechnologies.com

Trane runs 7-day trial for solar-powered refrigerated container in Germany, delivering 24/7 operation at -18°C setpoint

Field test demonstrated Trane’s solar-powered cold store container can maintain precise temperature for frozen applications for over a week, even under adverse conditions.

Brussels, Belgium, August 5, 2026 - Trane®, a leading global provider of thermal management solutions and services and a brand of Trane Technologies, has completed successful field trials of its new autonomous cold storage unit, providing real-world validation of an integrated approach to off-grid temperature control. Conducted in Germany, the trial showed that the refrigerated container could maintain a -18°C setpoint for more than seven days without any connection to the grid, even under predominantly cloudy conditions.

The tested configuration combined Trane’s ultra-insulated 20-feet C-Store PLUS refrigerated container, featuring an integrated solar frame with photovoltaic (PV) panels, a dedicated DC transformer, and compact battery energy storage system from Trane’s rental fleet.

During the trial:
• The cold store operated continuously at a -18°C setpoint with ambient temperatures between +20°C and +30°C
• Solar power input during operation ranged from approximately 0.5 kW in rainy conditions to up to 4.5 kW in sunny conditions, offering a strong indication of system performance under variable weather.
• The 35 kWh back-up battery pack remained almost fully charged throughout the duration of the trial.

Despite limited sunshine, the installation remained fully autonomous throughout the tests. It maintained precise temperature control under demanding site conditions, supported by the high energy efficiency of Trane’s C-Store PLUS range. The results confirmed that diffuse daylight can also provide useful solar energy in low-sunlight conditions. Furthermore, Trane’s battery pack provided a reliable and clean back-up energy source, ensuring the reefer could deliver required cooling capacity without compromise.

Available for short-term and long-term rental through Trane Rental Services, as well as its sister brand ICS Cool Energy, the off-grid refrigerated container responds to growing customer demand for more flexible, resilient and low-emission temporary cold storage solutions, particularly in locations where access to power is restricted or unreliable.

In addition to the refrigerated container, Trane also offers a standalone solar frame for customers looking to reduce energy consumption and electricity costs on existing cold storage units. The system can be scaled to meet different power requirements by varying the number of solar panels, allowing it to support larger cold storage units, including 40-foot containers. Where regulations permit, excess solar power can be exported to the grid; where it does not, the solar frame can supply direct power to the container, reducing grid demand and lowering operating costs.

“This trial is another proof point of how customers can overcome the constraints of operating in remote locations or restrictive environments, where reliable power is not always available,” said Grigory Ulubabyants, Services Product Manager, Trane EMEA. “Trane helps customers meet those challenges by combining temperature control technology with energy management expertise and turnkey service capabilities. In addition to cold stores and temperature control units, Trane Rental Services offers a much broader portfolio of energy solutions for backup power, peak shaving, grid congestion relief and smart tariff optimisation.”

For more details on Trane’s portfolio of solutions, please visit Trane.eu.

# # #

About Trane
Trane – by Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator – creates comfortable, energy efficient indoor environments for commercial and residential applications. For more information, please visit trane.eu or www.tranetechnologies.com.