Minimalist trends are on the rise, and sustainability is a growing concern among individuals. Not only large industries but also small businesses are reaping the benefits of renewables, and solar-powered food trucks are glaring examples.
The food truck industry has witnessed a steady growth of 9.9% since 2018. Known for their easily available ready-to-eat food and cost-effectiveness, the food trucks are becoming solar-powered food trucks to fulfill their business power needs.
This is because solar energy is not only environmentally friendly and sustainable but also helps to save around 300-500$ per month on their operational costs.
If you, too, are willing to cultivate solar energy benefits but have a vague understanding about this. Read the guide to understand important considerations while relying on solar panels for your food truck.
Can I Power a Food Truck on Solar Panels?
Absolutely yes.
It just needs a mindful approach. Get high-efficiency and high-power production capacity solar panels with a reliable power station, and they will fulfill all your power needs to run your food truck.
However, to make everything work flawlessly, careful planning is critical. This will ensure reliable power from your solar system at night and in all weather conditions when enough sunshine is unavailable.
Here is what you need to understand.
How Many Solar Panels Are Enough to Power My Food Truck?
Your requirement for solar panels is based on three factors. This includes your energy consumption patterns and the power production capacity of your solar panels.
Solar panels come in multiple variables, classified on their output capacity ranging from 100W to 400W. However, with technological advancement, the new solar panel updates have even more than 500W capacity, but 400-watt is more recommended due to their high efficiency and long life span.
But what's important to note here is that this rated number is the maximum amount of power produced under standard conditions that are usually not applicable in the real world and impacted by external factors. These include the availability of sunshine, optimum temperature, solar panel installation, and more.
Calculating your energy needs
Before we start, it is important to note that you need to calculate two types of wattages.
First, the running power that appliances use during their normal operations. Second, the surge power that is required to start functioning is usually higher than running power.
Now, the process is simple. List all the appliances on your food truck you want to run on the solar system. Check their labels and note their running and surge power requirements in watts. The maximum surge power should be on par with your solar generator's surge capacity.
To calculate power requirements, you need to go a step further. Enlist all the appliances you want to run simultaneously, add up their running wattage, and the final number is your power requirement. Your solar system has a power output capacity above or equal to this.
Note that some appliances have energy requirements labeled in Volts and Amps instead of Watts. You can make a conversion by using the formula below.
Volts (V) X Amps (A) = Watts (W)
How many solar panels do you need for your solar-powered food truck?
The energy produced by a solar panel depends on its output capacity and the availability of peak sun hours. So let’s say we have 5 peak sun hours, the average of the US, and 400-watt panels.
We can calculate the energy a solar panel produces per day by multiplying peak sun hours (5) with power production capacity (400). This will be 2000Wh per day.
Now, you can find the number of solar panels required using the equation below.
Number of solar panels required = Total power requirement / Power produced by solar panels daily.
For example, if you have a 4000W requirement, you will need two solar panels of 200W with 5 hours of peak sunlight to fulfill your food truck’s energy needs. However, this is an estimate. The actual number could vary according to panel type and external factors.
Important Points to Note Before Using Solar Panels on a Food Truck
Solar panels on your food truck can help you limit your operational costs. The process is simple yet requires careful consideration to harness maximum benefits.
Below discussed are some points to ponder while using solar panels on a food truck.
Where your food truck is located
The better the location, the more the revenues.
Whether it's a fine dining restaurant or a food truck, location is fundamental in food businesses. It affects not only the sales but also the power production of your solar panels.
The rule is simple. The more peak sun-hours your solar panel has, the more energy it will produce. Especially in the case of food trucks, due to their small size, location is of utmost importance to get maximum peak sun hours.
While getting solar, ensure your food truck is well parked to get maximum solar radiation. If this is not applicable, it is recommended to reconsider going solar or shift partially.
What are your power station requirements?
The power production of solar panels is subject to the availability of the sun. In cloudy weather or at night, their productivity becomes zero. Thus, you need a proper solar setup, aka solar power station, to ensure a reliable power supply.
These power stations consist of solar panels, an inverter, and batteries. Solar panels generate power. Inverters convert this energy into AC or DC current to be used by appliances or stored in batteries for later use at night.
BLUETTI is reputed globally for producing exceptional-quality solar power stations and a price match guarantee. This means if you find any other related product with a lower price, you can claim this extra amount within 30 days of purchase. Additionally, their 4-10 years hassle-free warranty and lifetime customer support are cherries on the top.
Below discussed are the two best variables of solar power stations for food trucks. You can review them or visit BLUETTI’s official website to scroll through our vast range of products.
BLUETTI AC200MAX
The solar generator kit comes with three 200W solar panels, two B230 batteries, and an inverter with output power capacity of 2200W and surge power of 4800W. From coffee makers to electric grills and refrigerators to air conditioners, this unit can support the power needs of all your home appliances.
Its built-in LiFePO4 battery capacity is 2048Wh. But if you find this does not align with your power needs, you can expand it up to 8192Wh with three B230 batteries. With 3500+ charge cycles, the life span of these batteries extends more than ten years with one charge cycle per day.
To ensure you are not only relying on solar power, AC200MAX offers seven different streams. This means if there is not enough solar radiation available, you can charge the batteries through AC, generator, car, or AC+solar.
Other specifications include touchless operations through the BLUETTI smart app, ten plus output ports, and two wireless charging pads to make the unit compatible with all your food truck appliances.
BLUETTI AC300
To cater to the power needs of a large-scale food truck, AC300 is the best. Its built-in output capacity is 3000W with a surge of 6000, which can be doubled by attaching two AC300 units.
Its LiFePO4 battery has a capacity of 3072Wh, which is sufficient for a normal-sized food truck. Further, if you want to ensure a reliable power backup for days, you can attach four B300 batteries to take this storage capacity to 12288Wh.
With its multiple output ports, including USB-C, USB-A, AC, 12V DC, and wireless charging pad, the unit is compatible with 99% of all your appliances.
AC300, too, like AC200MAX, comes with seven recharge streams to make sure you never run out of power. For an exceptional experience and smooth operations, you can handle all its functionalities through Bluetooth and the BLUETTI smart app.
Budget considerations
Going solar comes with a high initial cost, making budget considerations necessary while making this shift. You can plan this by estimating your total costs and savings post-solar.
Usually, your investment is paid back in the long run.
Also, incentives like the Federal Solar tax credit are available to achieve the net zero carbon emission goal. It is recommended that these government programs be investigated. They may not offer you solar panels free of cost, but they could help you save a handsome amount.
Advantages of Solar-Powered Food Trucks
The rapid increase in solar panel installations is a vital testament to the various benefits they bring to the table. Below discussed are some of these.
- A solar system requires only a one-time investment. After that, you don't need to worry about hefty electricity bills. Also, solar systems do not need regular maintenance, saving you some extra money.
- The threats of global warming are looming around humanity in the shape of climate change. By going solar, you can ensure your zero carbon footprint, eventually contributing your part to save Mother Nature.
- Lastly, sustainability is a growing concern and much appreciated by consumers. By going solar, you can brand your products and business environment friendly, ultimately boosting your sales.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are already running a food truck or want to start a new one, considering a solar system for your truck’s power needs is a wise decision. However, careful planning is crucial to ensure a smooth transition.
Understand your power requirements and opt for a unit that can effortlessly fulfill them. BLUETTI solar panels are reliable and efficient with an exceptional price match guarantee. In case of any query, BLUETTI customer services are available 24/7.
Let’s transform your food truck into a solar-powered food truck.
