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}, { "@type": "City", "name": "Wirral" } ], "knowsAbout": [ "Solar Panel Installation", "Commercial Solar PV", "Battery Storage Systems", "Air Source Heat Pumps", "EV Charging Installation", "Smart Export Guarantee", "MCS Certification", "Renewable Energy", "Energy Saving" ], "sameAs": [ "https://maps.google.com/?cid=12149377311066770099", "https://mcscertified.com/find-an-installer/", "https://www.trustmark.org.uk/find-a-tradesperson/" ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/#website", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk", "name": "Alliant Energy", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "publisher": { "@id": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/#organization" } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Tropical Ices — 66kW Solar Case Study", "description": "Tropical Ices (Frozen Dessert Distribution): 66kW solar array, 168 panels, 30kW battery — £13,700/yr saved, 5 Years payback. Full project breakdown by Alliant", "image": "/assets/tropical-ices-BTipsR4_.jpg", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Alliant Energy" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Alliant Energy", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/favicon.ico" } }, "datePublished": "2026-01-15", "dateModified": "2026-05-19", "mainEntityOfPage": "https://alliantenergy.co.uk/case-study/tropical-ices", "about": "Frozen Dessert Distribution" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "How big is the solar system installed at Tropical Ices?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much does Tropical Ices save each year?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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%." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Was the project funded or paid for upfront?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What's the environmental impact?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Could a similar system work for my business?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "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." } } ] } ] --- [![Alliant Energy — Renewable Energy Solutions](/__l5e/assets-v1/3bd22195-cc6e-43e6-b5ff-5a808ce292d3/alliantenergyltd-2.svg)](/) [Home](/)[About](/about-us) [Services](/services) [Guides](/guides)[Case Studies](/case-study)[![Levelise](/__l5e/assets-v1/59fd362e-361a-47d7-ad1f-65e9beeb5289/levelise-logo.webp)](/guides/levelise-hub-explained) [01282 501589](tel:01282501589)[Get a Quote →](/quote) ![Tropical Ices solar installation](/assets/tropical-ices-BTipsR4_.jpg) [All case studies](/case-study) Frozen Dessert Distribution # Tropical Ices 168 panels powering a 30-year-old global dessert supplier. [ Previous Williams Recycling ](/case-study/williams-recycling)[ Next Pinder Brothers ](/case-study/pinder-brothers) ## 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 MCS-registered 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 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. ### 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. ### Financial impact Rate of ROI 24% Total ROI 896% Annual savings £13,700 Lifetime savings £670,000 Payback term 5 Years Annual CO₂ saved 9.4 Tonnes [Commercial Savings Calculator →](/calculator) ### More projects [ Pewter & Silverware Manufacturing Pinder Brothers £3,700/yr · 5 Years payback ](/case-study/pinder-brothers)[ Logistics & Haulage Shepherd Distribution £22,389/yr · 2.9 Years payback ](/case-study/shepherd-distribution)[ Retail Technology Datascan Retail Systems £3,457/yr · 5.9 Years payback ](/case-study/datascan-retail-systems)[ Car Dealership Geoff Cox Automotive £6,816/yr · 5.8 Years payback ](/case-study/geoff-cox-automotive) Three ways to get started ## Ready to find out what solar saves you? Get a tailored quote in one working day. No obligation. No hard sell. Speak to a renewable energy engineer — not a salesperson — at a time that suits you. [Get a Quote → ](/quote) [Request a Callback →](/request-callback) [Download Brochure →](/brochure) Accreditations ## Certified, registered, and insured. Every time. MCS certification isn't a box-ticking exercise — it qualifies your system for Smart Export Guarantee payments and government grants. Our installers are also NICEIC-approved and TrustMark-registered, and every install is fully insured. ![Citation ISO Certification: ISO 9001 quality management, ISO 14001 environmental management and ISO 45001 occupational health and safety](/__l5e/assets-v1/180183cd-e6fd-4b0a-984c-83e6a41390d7/accreditations-iso.jpg) ![Alliant Energy — Renewable Energy Solutions](/assets/logo-IFrgP5Dc.png) Renewable energy & energy-saving specialists. MCS-registered solar PV, battery storage, heat pumps and EV charging across the UK. #### Quick Links - [Home](/) - [About Us](/about-us) - [Services](/services) - [Case Studies](/case-study) - [Areas We Cover](/solar-panel-quotes-north-west) - [Contact](/contact) - [Privacy Policy](/privacy) - [Terms & Conditions](/terms) #### Services - [Solar for Homes](/services/solar) - [Commercial Solar](/services/commercial-solar) - [Battery Storage](/services/battery-storage) - [Air Source Heat Pumps](/services/heat-pumps) - [EV Charging](/services/ev-charging) - [Energy Saving Advice](/services/energy-saving-advice) #### Contact - [01282 501589](tel:01282501589) - [info@alliantenergy.co.uk](mailto:info@alliantenergy.co.uk) - Unit 214 Northlight Industries, Pendle Road, Brierfield, Nelson BB9 5FL [Get a Quote](/quote)[Brochure](/brochure) Alliant Energy Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative (Financial Services Register No. 1020779) of Phoenix Financial Consultants Limited (Phoenix). Phoenix is a credit broker, not a lender. Phoenix is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 539195), and offers finance from its panel of lenders. All finance subject to status and credit checks. © 2026 Alliant Energy Ltd. All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy](/privacy)[Terms & Conditions](/terms) MCS Registered · TrustMark · NICEIC [Chat with AI](/chat) [Call back](/request-callback) [Get a Quote](/quote) [Get a Brochure](/brochure) [Get a Quote](/quote) [Chat with AI](/chat)