sustainability - Heat Changers Blog

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

Besides high water consumption of hotels, the energy used to heat it is a great environmental concern. By harnessing solar energy, hotels can ensure significant savings, reduce their carbon footprint and offer a greener experience to their guests.

The overlooked energy drain in hotels: hot water.

Hotels consume massive amounts of hot water daily—from guest room showers and jacuzzis to pools, spas, kitchens, and laundry facilities. Heating this water represents a significant share of a hotel’s total energy use, often relying on costly and carbon-intensive fossil fuels. This drives up operational expenses and contributes to climate change.

In terms of temperature, hot water requirements in a hotel vary depending on its specific use:

Between 40 and 60°C are needed to ensure adequate hygiene in bathrooms, showers, jacuzzis and sinks in rooms, as well as for cleaning processes in kitchens and laundry rooms.
To effectively disinfect sheets, towels and textiles in the laundry, the water must reach a minimum of 60°C.
Pools are usually kept between 24 and 30°C, depending on the climate and the desired comfort. In luxury hotels or wellness resorts, jacuzzis and hot tubs require higher temperatures, generally between 35 and 40°C.

In many parts of the world, room heating is powered by hot water. Underfloor heating systems operate at temperatures between 40 and 50°C, traditional radiators may require up to 80-90°C to provide efficient heating in cold climates.

Energy consumption associated with water heating varies by hotel category and location. According to the Hotel Energy Efficiency Guide published by the Mexican Ministry of the Environment:

In 5-star beach resorts, heating water accounts for 26% of total energy consumption.
In 3-star city hotels, this figure can rise to 42%, making it the single largest energy expense.

Traditionally, water heating works based on systems that use LP gas, natural gas or diesel as energy sources, which implies high operating costs, CO₂ emissions and dependence on the volatility of fuel prices.

According to the Spanish Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE), a 3-star hotel consumes an average of 41 liters of hot water per person per day. In an establishment with 100 double rooms and full occupancy, this is equivalent to 8,200 liters of hot water per day, which requires approximately 30 m³ (30,000 liters) of natural gas or 23 m³ (11,500 liters) of LP gas per day.

A smart, sustainable alternative: solar water heating systems

Hotels need a reliable, cost-effective way to heat water without increasing their carbon footprint. Solar thermal technology offers the perfect solution. Unlike gas-powered systems, solar water heaters use free, renewable energy from the sun—cutting operational costs and reducing emissions.

How solar water heating works

A solar thermal system is designed to efficiently capture, store, and distribute solar-heated water throughout the hotel. It consists of:

Solar collectors: these absorb sunlight and convert it into heat. Unlike photovoltaic panels, which achieve 20–30% efficiency in electricity generation, solar thermal collectors utilize 70–80% of solar radiation to heat water. Different types include evacuated tubes, flat plate collectors, and polymer absorbers.
Storage tanks: heated water is stored in insulated tanks to ensure supply even when the sun is not shining.
Backup heating system: the existing gas boiler becomes a secondary system, activating only when needed. For even greater efficiency, hotels can replace traditional boilers with heat pumps that work in tandem with solar energy.
Control and monitoring system: remote monitoring allows hotel engineers to track performance, optimize energy use, and detect any issues before they become costly problems.

Why solar water heating is a Game-Changer for hotels

Beyond sustainability, solar thermal systems offer several key advantages:

Lower operating costs and fast ROI

Fuel prices are volatile, but solar energy is free and stable. Depending on the location and the cost of fuel replaced, the return on investment (ROI) of solar heating systems is surprisingly fast. In an ideal scenario: a location with abundant solar resources in a temperate climate and high fuel costs, the ROI can be between 2 and 3 years.

2. Seamless integration and minimal disruptions

Solar heating can be installed in both new and existing hotels without interrupting hot water supply. It works alongside existing infrastructure and can be gradually expanded to meet growing demand.

3. Long-term durability and low maintenance

A properly installed solar thermal system lasts up to 25 years, with maintenance limited to periodic cleaning and inspections.

4. High recycling potential and sustainable supply chain

- More than 95% of system components (stainless steel, copper, and glass) are recyclable.
- Unlike other renewable technologies, solar thermal systems do not require rare or critical materials, making them accessible and locally available in most markets.

5. Financial incentives and green financing options

Hotels can take advantage of:

Tax benefits (deductions, accelerated depreciation, or subsidies).
Flexible financing models, such as leasing or Heat Purchase Agreements (HPA), where the hotel pays only for the energy produced rather than buying the system.

Proven success: hotels that have made the switch

Hotel Central Abastos (Guadalajara, México)

In this hotel, 30 flat-plate solar collectors were installed that occupy an area of only 60 m² on the roof. The system generates 5,000 liters of water at 55 °C daily. The high efficiency of solar thermal collectors (70 – 80%) allows the rest of the space to be used for the generation of electricity with photovoltaic panels.

The solar thermal system meets the demand for hot water for the rooms, laundry and public bathrooms located in the same building. Minimal adjustments were made in the machine room and there was no major investment since the hot water storage tanks that already existed were used. LP gas boilers operate as a backup at night, drastically reducing fuel consumption.

Hostería Las Quintas (Morelos, México)

This hotel opted for the comprehensive use of solar thermal energy. The versatility of solar water heating technologies allows for maximum utilization of solar resources:

Solar water heating systems were installed in 18 sections of the hotel, totaling 591 m² and with a power output of 431 kWh.
Different types of solar thermal collectors were used: thermosiphon, polypropylene, and flat plate.
The various solar heating systems meet the hotel’s specific needs: hot water for rooms, suites, pools, spa, laundry facilities, and kitchen.

The following infographic shows just a few of the installed systems.

Sustainability as branding strategy

Integrating solar water heating into hotel operations isn’t just about cost savings—it’s about building a future-proof, eco-conscious brand.

Earn green certifications (LEED, EDGE, or national sustainability seals).
Attract eco-conscious travelers who prioritize sustainable accommodations.
Enhance your hotel’s reputation as an industry leader in sustainability.

To sum up: the future of hospitality is solar!

Solar water heating offers an immediate, effective, and proven solution to cut costs, reduce emissions, and improve their sustainability credentials.

Article written by Marisol Oropeza.

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Tag: sustainability

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