Photos: Solar-powered refrigerated trailer completes 1038-mile trip without diesel fuel

Protran Solutions successfully completed a 1,671 km (1038-mile) round trip between Sydney and Brisbane using the Sunswap Endurance solar-powered refrigerated trailer, marking a significant milestone in sustainable cold-chain logistics. The trailer operated entirely on onboard batteries charged by roof-mounted solar panels, maintaining precise temperature control for frozen and chilled goods without relying on diesel fuel or external power sources. Despite challenges such as rain and overnight travel, the unit finished the 32-hour journey with 62% battery capacity remaining, demonstrating reliability for long-haul refrigerated freight. The trial consumed 85.9 kWh of energy, with solar generation providing 58.9 kWh and the battery supplying 27 kWh. This shift from diesel to solar and battery power saved 64 liters of diesel and avoided 172 kg of carbon emissions, addressing the transport sector’s growing environmental impact in Australia. Sunswap’s technology also offers up to 81% reduction in operating costs compared to diesel refrigeration due to fuel savings and