November 8,2017-
Challenge Dairy Products is working with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District in Fresno to test a solar-powered, zero-emissions commercial Transport Refrigeration Unit, powered through a new technology called Rayfridgeration.
Instead of using particulate laden diesel fuel, the truck stores and refrigerates dairy products on delivery routes, using roof-mounted solar panels in the day time and an auxiliary battery that is charged at night. As a back-up, the electrical system is also capable of charging the battery while the vehicle is running. Challenge Dairy has been testing the Rayfridgeration truck since April 2017, and it is exceeding expectations so far, they report.
Challenge expects to fit their entire fleet with the new, cleaner technology.
Over 100 California Dairies Employ Solar
More than 100 dairy farms across the state are using solar energy panels, with a total energy capacity of more than 77 megawatts (MW). Many of these dairy farms have a solar energy capacity of 1 MW or more says Dairy Cares.