How big is the solar system installed at Tropical Ices?
Alliant Energy installed a 66kW solar PV system using 168 panels paired with a 50kW inverter and 30kW of battery storage. The installation took 4 days from arrival on site to commissioning.
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Frozen Dessert Distribution
Tropical Ices
168 panels powering a 30-year-old global dessert supplier.
Project overview
Specialising in the supply and distribution of frozen desserts, Tropical Ices serve over 600 customers worldwide. With an east/west facing pitched roof of 36m x 20m, there was enough roof to accommodate 168 panels, paired with a hybrid bi-directional 50kW 3-phase Sunsynk inverter and 30kW high-voltage battery storage.
The challenge
Like most frozen dessert distribution operations, Tropical Ices faced a structural exposure to wholesale electricity prices — a cost line that doubled for many UK businesses between 2021 and 2023 and shows no sign of returning to pre-crisis levels. With significant daytime load and suitable roof space, on-site generation was the obvious lever, but the project needed to stand on its own commercial merits: predictable payback, manufacturer-backed warranties, and zero operational disruption during install.
The solution Alliant Energy designed
Following a structural roof survey and DNO capacity check, Alliant Energy specified a 66kW array using 168 high-efficiency mono-PERC panels, paired with a 50kW hybrid inverter and 30kW of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery storage. The 50kW platform was chosen for its export-management capability and remote firmware updates, allowing the array to be tuned over its life without site visits. Battery storage was sized to absorb mid-day generation peaks and discharge across the early evening, lifting on-site solar self-consumption from a typical 35–45% to over 70%.
Install & commissioning
The full installation completed in 4 days, scheduled around the customer's operating hours to avoid downtime. Work was carried out by Alliant Energy's directly employed Experienced engineers — no subcontracted labour. The system was commissioned to G99 requirements, registered with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, and handed over with monitoring access, electrical certification, and structural sign-off documents on the day of completion.
Financial outcome
In its first full year of operation the system is on track to save Tropical Ices approximately £13,700 on electricity costs, with a payback term of 5 Years and a projected total ROI of 896%. Over the 25-year warranted life of the panels, the cumulative saving is forecast at £670,000 — a figure that improves materially if grid prices continue their long-term upward trend, and that benefits from the UK's 100% full-expensing capital allowance for qualifying solar assets.
Environmental impact
The installation displaces roughly 9.4 Tonnes of CO₂ emissions every year compared with grid-sourced electricity. Over the system's 25-year design life that is the equivalent of removing more than Tropical Ices's entire annual Scope 2 footprint several times over — a material data point for ESG, B-Corp and net-zero reporting frameworks.
Why it matters for the frozen dessert distribution sector
Frozen Dessert Distribution businesses typically run daytime electrical loads — refrigeration, machinery, IT, lighting, compressors — that overlap closely with solar generation. That overlap is what drives strong economics: every unit generated and consumed on-site replaces a unit that would otherwise be bought from the grid at full commercial rates. The Tropical Ices project demonstrates how the model scales for this kind of operation.
System
66kW
Panels
168
Inverter
50kW
Storage
30kW
Install
4 Days
Project FAQ
How much does Tropical Ices save each year?
Tropical Ices saves approximately £13,700 per year on electricity, with projected lifetime savings of £670,000 over the system's 25-year guaranteed performance period. The payback term is 5 Years, delivering a total ROI of 896%.
Was the project funded or paid for upfront?
This project was paid for directly by the customer. Under the UK's full-expensing capital allowance, the entire cost can be deducted from corporation tax in year one — improving the effective payback meaningfully for profitable companies.
What's the environmental impact?
The system avoids around 9.4 Tonnes of CO₂ emissions every year compared with grid-sourced electricity. Over a 25-year design life that's a material contribution toward Scope 2 reduction and any ESG or net-zero reporting commitments the business holds.
Could a similar system work for my business?
Probably — the same hardware platform (panels, hybrid inverter, optional battery) scales from roughly 10kW up to 1MW+. The deciding factors are roof area, daytime electricity use, current unit rate, and grid-connection capacity. Alliant Energy carries out a free desktop feasibility study and follow-up site survey before quoting.
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