In the race toward decarbonization and meeting Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) targets, Solar Heat for Industrial Processes (SHIP) is emerging as a powerful and proven solution for industries from multiple sectors. SHIP systems integrate directly into a company’s existing energy infrastructure, offering clean, renewable heat for a wide range of industrial applications.
A typical SHIP plant consists of three main components: a solar thermal collector field, thermal storage, and a monitoring system. The sun heats a fluid —usually water or thermal oil—in the solar collectors, which is then pumped through a heat exchanger to transfer energy for storage and usage elsewhere.
In other words, SHIP systems supply solar heat for processes requiring temperatures up to 150°C such as cleaning, drying, washing, pasteurising, boiling, sterilising, bleaching, steaming, etc. and in many cases even for higher temperature needs reaching up to 350 °C or more. The result: a significant reduction in fossil fuel use and associated carbon emissions.
A growing global market
According to the latest market survey by Solrico, a German agency, SHIP is gaining strong global traction. From 2017 to 2024, 1,315 SHIP systems were installed across industries, totalling 1,071 MW of thermal capacity. These plants are located in Mexico, the Netherlands, China, Germany, India, Austria, France, Spain, the USA, and many other countries.
In 2024 alone, 106 new SHIP plants were commissioned, adding another 120 MW to the global SHIP fleet.
While many of these systems are small to mid-scale, the market also includes several large flagship installations:
- Europe’s largest SHIP plant was inaugurated in September 2023 at Heineken‘s brewery in Seville, Spain, featuring a 30 MW concentrating solar field.
- Other notable projects include Mol Freesia farm (Netherlands, 10.5 MW) and Boortmalt’s malting plant (France, 10 MW).
- The world’s largest SHIP plant with 80 MW, however, is located in China, dedicated to snow making in a leisure park.
SHIP in action: industry applications
While high-profile megawatt-scale projects capture headlines, the market is largely dominated by smaller SHIP systems that deliver immediate benefits across various industries. Mexico leads globally with 273 installations, underscoring the market’s readiness and potential in sunny, high LP-gas-cost regions.
Examples of industrial applications in other Latinamerican countries include:
- Nestlé, Brazil: since October 2024, a SHIP system in Feira de Santana supplies solar heat at up to 90 °C for chocolate milk production.
- PepsiCo, Brazil: a SHIP plant delivers 450 MWhth/year, saving 55,200 m³ of natural gas and avoiding 103 tons of CO₂ annually.
- Grupo Melo in Panama, SHIP systems support egg-washing operations.
- In Chile, three multi-megawatt SHIP plants are under construction for mining operations, spearheaded by Gasco.
Additional new installations are underway in Ecuador, Colombia and Cuba.
Which industries benefit most?
According to market outlook 2025-2027 from Solrico, the food industry, including dairies, will continue to dominate new SHIP deployments. Other fast-growing segments include:
- Agriculture
- Chemical and pharmaceutical sectors
- Beverage industry
- Textile industry (to a lesser extent)
If your company relies on process heat, SHIP is not only viable—it’s often the most cost-effective path toward carbon-neutral operations.
Investing in SHIP: flexible business models
One of SHIP’s strongest appeals is the flexibility in financing and ownership:
- Heat Purchase Agreements (HPAs) allow companies to buy solar heat without owning the infrastructure. This model is ideal for large-scale SHIP projects, typically developed by energy service companies (ESCOs).
EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) contracts are more common for smaller SHIP installations, where companies invest directly and own the system.
Return on investment: what to expect
The ROI of SHIP varies based on a number of factors:
- Solar radiation levels
- Process temperature requirements
- Collector technology used (flat plate, evacuated tube, or concentrating collectors)
- Type and cost of fuel displaced
- Availability of public funding or subsidies
Examples:
In Mexico, SHIP investments frequently pay off in 2 to 4 years, even without subsidies, thanks to high solar radiation, expensive LP gas, and locally available technology.
In Germany, where radiation is lower and investment costs are higher, government incentives help bring ROI down to 3 to 8 years, according to recent findings from Fraunhofer ISE.
SHIP suppliers: a trusted global network
Currently, 66 companies from 25 countries ofrer SHIP turnkey solutions. These developers are responsible for end-to-end project execution—including engineering, construction, and maintenance. A link to their website can be found in the world map.
A competitive edge is often found in in-house or on-site collector manufacturing, which 79% of suppliers practice. But just as crucial is their industry-specific expertise, essential in a niche where decision-making can stretch over multiple years.
Top global SHIP developers include:
- Módulo Solar with 165 projects installed (Mexico)
- Solareast Group with its brand micoe with 118 projects installed (China)
- G2 with 109 projects installed (Netherlands)
Take the heat challenge – Make the change
For industrial players committed to climate goals, SHIP offers a smart, scalable way to cut costs and carbon. Whether you operate a dairy, brewery, food processor, or chemical plant, SHIP can deliver stable, low-carbon heat—today and for decades to come.
At Heat Changers, we believe that solar thermal is not just a complementary energy source—it’s a cornerstone of industrial sustainability.
Let’s change heat, together.
Article written by Marisol Oropeza