Swedish retailer keeps cool in the sun

Dagab’s new cold storage warehouse in Gothenburg will be powered by a system of 407 solar cells. The solar cells will generate an estimated 87,000 kWh electricity per year - roughly the amount of energy required to heat five average-sized homes.

One of the disadvantages of solar energy is that when generation is at its peak - in the middle of the day - the need for power is lowest. However, this doesn’t apply for a cold storage warehouse, where the exact opposite is true. When the sun is out and it is hot, this is when the most power is required to keep things cold.

“On a sunny summer day, the power provided by our solar cells will account for 20% of the energy required for refrigeration,” said Anders Agerberg, Divisional Manager at Dagab.

Dagab is the hub of Axfood AB’s supply chain. Axfood conducts its retail business through the wholly owned store chains Willys, Hemköp and PrisXtra, comprising 246 stores in total. In addition, Axfood collaborates with approximately 820 proprietor-run stores that are tied to Axfood through agreements.

The 6500 m² cold storage facility in Backa will supply frozen and refrigerated products to Willys, Hemköp and Tempo stores in southern and western Sweden. The warehouse was inaugurated on 12 June and installation of the solar cells began on 17 June.