Overview

Independent transport refrigeration specialist, CB Transport Refrigeration Limited, Service partner for Carrier Transicold UK, has installed 1,500 Genie Insights solar solutions on refrigerated trailers since first trialling the technology in 2021.

What began as a solution to recurring fridge battery issues on one customer fleet has developed into a core part of CB Transport Refrigeration’s offering, with solar used to maintain transport refrigeration unit (TRU) batteries and reduce battery-related call-outs and downtime.

Customer: CB Transport Refrigeration

Application: Refrigerated trailers and transport refrigeration units

Deployment: 1,500 solar installations

Challenge: Flat TRU batteries, breakdowns and associated downtime

Solution: Genie Insights solar battery maintenance solution

The Challenge

Reliable battery power is critical to refrigerated transport operations. The transport refrigeration unit relies on its battery to start and operate correctly, and a discharged battery can leave a trailer out of service.

For temperature-controlled fleets, the consequences extend beyond the battery itself. A battery-related breakdown can mean an engineer call-out, vehicle downtime and disruption to the movement of temperature-controlled goods, even causing spoiled produce onboard.

CB Transport Refrigeration first approached Genie Insights in 2021 when one of its key customers was experiencing recurring flat fridge batteries.

CB Transport Refrigeration Managing Director, Kev Collins, explains:

“Breakdowns from flat fridge batteries are a nightmare for operators – from down time of the vehicles to repair costs – it all has an impact. We needed a fix that actually worked and Genie’s solar kit does just that.”

The Solution

Designed specifically for transport refrigeration units, Genie Insights’ solar solution, powered by MIPV technology, is lightweight, low-profile, and purpose-built for the harsh conditions of commercial vehicle operations.

The solar module is fitted to the trailer roof and connected to the TRU battery. It generates charge whenever sufficient daylight is available, maintaining the battery during operation and periods when the trailer is standing.

This reduces the risk of battery discharge without requiring drivers or depot teams to manually connect an external charger.

“The collaboration or joint venture between the two companies [Genie Insights and CB Transport Refrigeration] has been a great relationship from the start.” Kev said. “They understand how we work, and they’ve never let us down. Panels turn up when they’re meant to, and the kit works. That’s all we ask.”

Matt Reeve, Managing Director at Genie Insights, added:

CB Transport Refrigeration knows what temperature-controlled operators are up against, and they’ve really championed our solar product since the first trial we ran for one of their key accounts that was experiencing recurring flat batteries. It’s always a pleasure working with Kev and the CB team, and we’re really proud to have become such a key part of the total package they can offer to customers.”

From One Trial to 1,500 Installations

The initial installation in 2021 was intended to address a specific battery problem on one customer fleet.

Following that trial, CB Transport Refrigeration continued to offer the Genie Insights solution to other customers experiencing similar issues.

What started as a one-off trial has grown steadily, with solar now a core part of CB Transport Refrigeration’s offering to its impressive customer base, which includes some of the UK’s largest temperature-controlled logistics operators.

Since then, adoption has grown steadily, with the 1,500-installation milestone representing repeated success across CB Transport Refrigeration’s customer base.

The Outcome

CB Transport Refrigeration reports fewer battery-related call-outs and reduced downtime among customers using the solar solution.

Kev Collins said:

“My customers see the benefit straight away. Fewer call-outs, less downtime, and peace of mind. We’ve now got 1,500 panels out there, and counting.”

CB Transport Refrigeration is committed to addressing common operational challenges faced by temperature-controlled operators. By integrating Genie Insights’ reliable solar technology into its service offering, the company is providing its customers with a commercial advantage through enhanced equipment reliability and reduced downtime.

Solar Battery Maintenance for Refrigerated Transport

Flat TRU batteries are a common cause of refrigerated trailers being taken out of service. Solar battery maintenance provides an autonomous source of supplementary charge, reducing reliance on manual charging while the trailer is in operation or standing.

Genie Insights supplies solar solutions for transport refrigeration applications across trailers and commercial vehicles.

See how solar can reduce battery-related downtime in refrigerated transport.

About CB Transport Refrigeration

CB Transport Refrigeration Limited is an independent transport refrigeration specialist and service partner for Carrier Transicold UK (also known as Carrier Northwest, West Midlands and East Midlands).

The company, which is the UK’s longest-serving official Carrier Service Partner, has been supporting temperature-controlled operators for more than four decades through expert service, maintenance and installation of refrigerated transport equipment.