The minimalist trend is on the rise and sustainability is gaining attention, with the solar powered food truck being the obvious example.
The food truck industry has been witnessing a steady growth of 9.9% since 2018.
Food trucks, known for their easy access to ready-to-eat food and cost-effectiveness, are now turning to solar-powered food trucks to meet their business power needs.
This is because solar energy is not only eco-friendly and sustainable, but it can also help save around $300-$500 per month in operating costs.
If you are also willing to utilize solar energy but don’t know much about it, read this guide to learn the important things to consider when using a solar powered food truck.
Solar powered food truck: Can solar panels power a food truck?
The short answer?
Absolutely.
Set up your equipment wisely, buy solar panels with sufficient rated power output – and the right balance of systems to match – so you can meet 100% of your food truck’s electrical needs with solar power. And enjoy all the benefits that come with it!
In order to do this, you need to have some knowledge about electricity and solar energy basics.
But don’t panic!
Here’s everything you need to know about using clean, renewable solar power to power your food truck.
Advantages of food truck powered by solar/Solar powered food trucks
There are three main advantages to using a solar powered food truck, namely a lower carbon footprint, lower operating costs, and increased education and awareness. We will discuss each of these advantages below.
Lower Carbon Footprint
Solar powered food trucks use solar energy, which is a renewable and abundant source of energy found all over the world. By using solar energy, Solar powered food trucks for sale reduces the use of non-renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels that produce harmful greenhouse gases.
Reduced Operating Costs
Solar energy is a free source of energy, so Solar powered food trucks for sale owners don’t have to worry about rising electricity prices or fuel costs. By generating power during the day, operators can also offset the energy absorbed from the grid, effectively reducing electricity bills.
In addition, solar panels are known for being long-lasting and durable. This means that they require minimal maintenance and solar powered food truck cost (replacement cost) compared to traditional generators.
Education and awareness building
Solar powered food truck for sale can be used as an educational tool to raise awareness about the benefits of renewable energy. As a result, this can encourage more food truck owners to adopt solar power as a sustainable energy source for their operations.
How many solar panels are needed to power a food truck?
The number of solar panels required to power a food truck system depends on the amount of electricity consumed by the food truck.
To calculate the number of solar panels needed, you need to determine the amount of electricity the food truck consumes (in watts) and the amount of sunlight the solar panels can collect (in watts per hour).
There are several types of solar panels, categorized according to their output capacity from 100W to 400W.
However, with the advancement of technology, newer solar panels have been updated even to have a capacity of more than 500W. Still, due to their high efficiency and long lifespan, 400W solar panels are more recommended.
It is important to note here, however, that this rating is the maximum amount of power generated under standard conditions, which are not usually applicable in the real world and can be affected by external factors.
These factors include the availability of sunlight, optimal temperatures, solar panel installation, etc.
Food Truck Electricity Requirements
The amount of electricity your food truck uses depends on the appliances you use.
The process is simple, make a list of all the appliances on the food truck you want to run on your solar system, such as the refrigerator, oven, lights, and fans.
Check their labels and make note of their operating and surge power requirements (in watts). The maximum surge power should be comparable to the surge capacity of the solar generator.
Note that some appliances have energy requirements in volts and amps instead of watts. You can use the following conversion formula（volts to watts）.
Volts (V) X Amps (A) = Watts (W)
You will need to add up the wattage of all your appliances. For example, let’s say the total wattage of all the appliances in the dining car is 6,000 watts.
Starting and Running Watts of Typical Food Truck Appliances (Estimates Only)
| Appliance | Rated (Running) Watts | Starting Watts |
| Home Refrigerator/Freezer | 700 | 2200 |
| Light Bulb | 60-75 | 0 |
| Microwave | 600-1000 | 0 |
| Toaster | 900 | 0 |
| Coffee Maker | 1000 | 0 |
| Blender | 300 | 800 |
| Toaster Oven | 1200 | 0 |
Sunshine Hours
The amount of sunlight a solar panel can collect depends on the location and orientation of the panel.
Let’s say you are in a location that receives 6 hours of sunlight per day and has 400 watts of solar panels. Your solar panels can collect 2,400 watts of sunlight per hour, which is approximately 1,920 watts, accounting for a 20% loss.
Calculations
To calculate the number of solar panels needed, you can use the following formula:
Number of solar panels = (Electricity needs of the food truck) / (Hours of sunlight x Wattage collected per hour per solar panel)
Using the example above, calculate the following:
Number of solar panels = 6000 watts / 1920W = 3.1
Therefore, your solar powered food truck power system will require approximately 3-4 400W solar panels. However, this is only an estimate.
You can consult with our solar experts to determine your exact power needs and the number of solar panels needed to meet those needs.
Points to keep in mind before using solar panels on food trucks
Solar panels on food trucks can help you limit your operating costs. The process is simple, but it requires careful consideration to get the most bang for your buck. Discussed below are some of the key points to consider when using solar panels on food trucks.
Where is your food truck located?
The better the location, the more revenue you will generate.
Whether it’s a fine dining restaurant or a mobile food truck, location is fundamental to the food business. Not only does it affect sales, but it also affects the amount of power generated by the solar panels.
The rules are simple. The longer the solar panel has peak sunlight, the more energy it produces. For food trucks in particular, due to their small size, location is critical to getting maximum peak sunlight hours.
When utilizing solar energy, make sure your food truck is properly parked to get the maximum amount of solar radiation. If this does not apply, it is recommended to reconsider utilizing solar energy or shifting location.
Budgetary Considerations
Going solar requires a high initial cost, so it’s important to consider your budget when making this switch. You can plan by estimating the total costs and savings that will result from going solar.
Often, your investment will pay off in the long run.
There are also incentives such as federal solar tax credits that can be used to achieve net-zero carbon emission goals. It is recommended to research these government programs. They may not provide you with solar panels for free, but can help you save a significant amount of money.
Do you have a backup power supply unit?
While solar panels are reliable energy generators, they are dependent on the availability of sunlight.
Therefore, if there is a lack of sunlight due to weather or unforeseen issues that could affect the performance of your solar panel system, it is crucial to have backup power options.
Having a backup power device, such as portable solar panels or a battery storage system, ensures that you have a reliable source of power during these times.
Sungold Solar Panels
1. Sungold HP Portable Solar Panel
The Sungold HP Portable Solar Panel is ideal for outdoor travel, camping and emergency power.
It features a lightweight design for easy portability and quick installation. Featuring high efficiency monocrystalline solar cells, it is able to produce maximum power output in a small area.
The solar panel is also compatible with various types of portable power stations, making it suitable for users who need a flexible, mobile power solution.
2. Sungold BXF 200W Laminated Solar Panel
The BXF 200W Solar Panel utilizes a laminated process to provide excellent protection and weather resistance for long-term outdoor use.
Its high-efficiency solar cells provide stable power output in a wide range of weather conditions.
The 200W power is enough to support some common household devices such as lighting and fans. This product is widely praised in the market for its durability and high performance.
3. Sungold TF Series Flexible Solar Panel
The TF Series Flexible Solar Panel is designed for curved surface mounting needs such as boats and RVs. Its flexible structure makes it possible to maintain stable performance even when installed on irregular surfaces, greatly expanding the application scenarios.
Lightweight and thin, the TF series solar panel is easy to install and carry while providing reliable power support, making it ideal for users who need to save space and weight.
Its waterproof and corrosion-resistant properties also make it ideal for marine and outdoor use.
4. Sungold SGD Rigid Solar Panel
SGD Rigid Solar Panel is designed for fixed installation and is suitable for home roofing, commercial and industrial PV systems and other scenarios.
The SGD series utilizes a high-strength, rigid structure that can withstand harsh weather conditions such as high winds and heavy rains with outstanding durability.
Its high conversion efficiency and good performance under low-light conditions make it a premium choice for stable power output.
SGD solar panels are widely used in various types of large-scale PV power generation projects due to their rugged, reliable construction and long-lasting performance.
Final Thoughts
While there are various benefits of using solar panels for food trucks, there is no denying that due to the high cost of purchasing them, a solar powered food truck may not be suitable for everyone’s consideration.
Nonetheless, solar panels are still a worthwhile investment for many food truck owners because they are environmentally friendly and cost-effective in the long run.
In addition, solar powered food trucks can attract more customers with their eco-consciousness. With more customers, the owner of the food truck can also gain higher financial returns.
Buy Sungold solar panels for all your solar energy needs.
