Combination of Thermo King Gensets and Solar Panels Helps B&H Logistik Efficiently Transport Refrigerated Containers

Thermo King, and its German dealer Transportkühlung THERMO KING GmbH, provided B&H Logistik with a unique solution combining generator sets (gensets) and solar panels for efficient and reliable power supply during the transport of refrigerated containers. 

B&H Logistik transports refrigerated containers for the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industry customers, where maintaining the cold chain is vital for the integrity and quality of the transported goods. B&H Logistik was looking for a reliable solution that would enable them to keep their genset-equipped fleet always-ready to power the refrigerated containers during the road trips. 

Transportkühlung THERMO KING GmbH met the requirements offering B&H Logistik Thermo King SGCM 300 gensets combined with Thermo Lite solar panels for greater and sustainable power management. Even in low light, Thermo King’s solar panels collect energy to keep the battery fully charged. This eliminates the risk of battery discharge and the need to use the genset engine to charge the battery,contributing to reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

“Reliability of the power supply was paramount for us to guarantee continuous cold chain while transporting our customers’ containers on the road,” said Boris Hirschhausen, managing director at B&H Logistik. “In the past we had issues with discharged batteries on the gensets that weren’t used every day. This required additional maintenance along with costly and timely visits to the workshop to recharge the battery. With the solar panels installed, this problem is solved.”

“We’re trying to think out-of-the-box when working with our customers. While the Thermo Lite panels have been originally designed to work with the refrigeration units, we decided to install it on the trailer’s chassis and connect with the genset’s battery,” said Marcus Kallmünzer, branch manager at Transportkühlung THERMO KING GmbH. “Many emergency breakdowns result from discharged batteries when the gensets are not used every day. With Thermo Lite solar panels we eliminated that risk and the customer can save both money and time carrying out transport operations instead of spending time in the workshop.” 

“For companies like B&H Logistik that transport loaded refrigerated containers in land, it is crucial to have reliable, operation-ready gensets, to maintain the set temperature levels inside the containers,” said Gulsah Metinoz, sales manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Thermo King Marine. “Even slight increase in temperature during transport can lead to days of reduced shelf life and increased food waste for their end customers. The combination of genset and solar panels makes the power constantly available and increases their operational efficiency and reliability, while also reducing their environmental footprint.”

Thermo King gensets can easily be used as mobile power management solutions beyond marine or transport refrigeration applications and serve as reliable main or supplementary power source.