HOW COOL IS THIS? World’s First Solar-powered Reefer in Oz.

In-depth

5 Feb

Protran Solutions launches world-first solar-powered refrigerated trailers on Australian roads.

Australian Cold Chain Logistics Is About to Run on Sunshine.

Sydney, NSW– Protran Solutions, Australia’s leading transport refrigeration specialist, is bringing a world-class innovation to local roads: the Sunswap Endurance — a solar powered refrigerated trailer that keeps food cold without a drop of diesel needed.

The Sunswap Endurance is no prototype — it’s already a proven performer, delivering fresh food for major UK and EU retailers. Now, through Protran Solutions’ exclusive Australian distribution partnership, the technology is finally arriving where it was arguably always destined to thrive.

**Sunswap recently travelled more than 1,600 km on a Sydney–Brisbane–Sydney return trip over three days, running entirely on solar power. Not a single litre of diesel was used.**

Protran Solutions has already put the Sunswap Endurance to the ultimate Australian test — a gruelling 1,600 km Sydney–Brisbane–Sydney return trip completed in just three days, running entirely on solar power. Not a single litre of diesel was used.

The technology is elegantly simple. Solar panels mounted across the trailer roof continuously charge onboard batteries, which power the refrigeration unit. The batteries can also be topped up from the grid overnight. The result? Zero diesel. Zero tailpipe emissions.

Just Australian sunshine keeping milk, meat and vegetables at the right temperature — all the way from farm to supermarket shelf.

“Australia’s sunshine is perfect for this technology,” said Michael Lowe, CEO of Sunswap. “We’re proud that Protran Solutions — one of Australia’s emerging names in transport refrigeration, is partnering with Sunswap to distribute the Endurance model to the Australian market. It’s the same world-class unit delivering groceries across the UK, Europe and South America, and now, Australian operators will have the opportunity to partner with Protran Solutions to see the benefits Sunswap Endurance will provide to their fleets which will include zero emissions from day one.”

**Sunswap is powered by the sun, no diesel, no e-axle, pure solar powered**

Protran Solutions, an Australian transport refrigeration specialist with over 30 years of industry experience — has secured the exclusive rights to distribute the Sunswap Endurance across Australia. The first units are already in trial operations with cold chain operators, and Protran Solutions has already signed up its first customer after the first trial run of the trailer was completed.

“Australian sunshine has always been a challenge for diesel refrigeration — the harder it beats down, the harder those units work, and the more fuel they burn,” said Grant Turner, General Manager of Protran Solutions.

“The Sunswap Endurance flips that equation entirely. More sun means more power, exactly when you need it most. The system is so simple. No need for fuel tanks, no need for e-axles, and no payload weight disadvantage for batteries. It truly is the next generation of cold chain green solutions for the Australian market.”

Protran is proud to be the company bringing this world-class technology to Australian operators.” Grant added.

**Sunswap solar panels fully charged can last up to months without sunlight, and can be retrofitted or installed on all semi-trailer brands in Australia**

The Sunswap Endurance is manufactured at Sunswap’s facility in Surrey, UK, where production is scaling rapidly to meet growing international demand across six markets. In Australia, Protran Solutions will manage the full supply chain — from delivery and installation through to ongoing maintenance and cold-chain compliance — ensuring operators get not just a world-class product, but world-class support.

As the first Sunswap Endurance trailers — bearing distinctive rooftop solar panels and “Making Australian sunshine work harder” branding — roll out across the Australian highways under Protran Solutions’ banner, the message to the transport industry is clear: the future of refrigerated freight in Australia is already here.