How SolarXWorks Supports New OSHA Standards

At SolarXWorks, worker safety is more than a policy—it's a core value. We fully support the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) latest heat requirements, including the recent standard outlined in OSHA-2021-0009-20779. By consistently prioritizing employee well-being, we can create safer work environments and ensure compliance with federal regulations.

We all feel the climate getting warmer.  The last 10 years, 2015-2014, have been the hottest on record.  Last year, 2024, was the hottest year ever and the first year over the key number of 1.5°C over pre-industrial averages.  In order to adapt to these warmer temperatures and continue to thrive, we need to protect our outdoor workers, which makes up 33% of the U.S. workforce.  By providing cooling safety measures for these employees, we can keep everyone safe in the workplace and be as productive as possible even in hotter conditions.

Key Ways To Keep People Stay Safe and Compliant

1. Hazard Assessments & Risk Mitigation
   Before any project begins, identify potential hazards and implements controls—such as fall protection, safe electrical practices, and proper use of equipment—to reduce risks.

2. Thorough Training & Education
   From onboarding to ongoing refresher courses, teach employees how to prevent incidents, use personal protective equipment (PPE), and stay current with OSHA updates.

3. Protective Equipment & Technology
   Supply OSHA-compliant PPE like hard hats, harnesses, and respirators. We also use technology to monitor worksites in real time, ensuring quick responses to potential issues.

4. Health & Wellness Focus
   Wellness initiatives include ergonomic evaluations, mental health resources, and comprehensive COVID-19 precautions. Healthy employees make a stronger, safer workforce.

5. Continuous Improvement
   Encourage open communication, rapid incident reporting, and ongoing reviews of our safety protocols. This feedback loop enables us to adapt quickly and stay ahead of industry standards.

6. Implement New Safety Technologies
   Many companies are coming out with the new technologies to protect workers from the changing climate.  Our newest product, the KulSun people cooling solution, is a mobile solar-powered cooling shelter that provides a climate-controlled space where workers can go to cool their body temperature and reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses and injuries.  No need for external power sources, simply pop up the insulated tent in minutes, connect the KulSun cooling unit, attach the solar panels, and begin blowing cold air into the space.  By not relying on conventional power sources, the KulSun solution can be placed anywhere the sun shines—such as in agricultural fields, remote construction sites, or even at outdoor entertainment events.

OSHA guidelines show the growing concern for worker safety and the importance of staying safe from the heat.  At SolarXWorks, we want to create work cultures that keep employees safe and happy, boosts productivity, and build customer confidence. Learn more about our approach to solar solutions at www.solarxworks.com.

2024: One of the Hottest Years on Record — How the KulSun Solar Cooling System Can Help Protect Those At-Risk

If you’ve been feeling like the heat this past year was more extreme than usual, you’re not alone. According to preliminary data from major climate agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 2024 was the hottest years on record. Rising global temperatures and increasingly frequent heatwaves underscore the urgent need for innovative cooling solutions — especially for those who are most vulnerable.

At SolarX|Works, we’re committed to addressing this challenge head-on with our solar-powered cooling solution, KulSun. Below, we explore the facts behind 2024’s extreme heat and discuss how KulSun can help protect those most at-risk.

The Reality of 2024’s Extreme Heat

1. Record-Breaking Temperatures
   Major climate organizations agree that 2024’s average global temperature exceeded previous records, continuing the upward trend observed over the last decade. Many regions worldwide experienced unprecedented heatwaves, breaking local records and exacerbating environmental and social challenges.

2. Warming Oceans and Amplified Heatwaves
   Warmer ocean waters contribute to more intense and prolonged heatwaves on land, as well as an increase in humidity that makes high temperatures feel even hotter. These factors can severely impact human health, agriculture, and infrastructure.

3. A Global Public Health Challenge
   According to the World Health Organization (WHO), heat-related illnesses and deaths rise significantly during prolonged heatwaves. As temperatures continue to soar, the urgency to provide reliable and sustainable cooling becomes even more evident.

Who Is Most at Risk?

1. Outdoor Workers
   Construction workers, farmers, delivery personnel, and other outdoor laborers face extreme conditions due to prolonged sun exposure. Without adequate shade or cooling, these workers are at a higher risk for heat stroke, dehydration, and other heat-related illnesses.

2. The Elderly
   Older adults often have underlying health conditions that heat can exacerbate. Limited mobility and reduced ability to regulate body temperature put them in acute danger during extreme heat events.

3. Young Children and Infants
   Children are less efficient at regulating body temperature. They’re also more susceptible to dehydration and other risks associated with high temperatures.

4. Underserved Communities
   People in areas with inadequate housing or limited access to air conditioning may struggle the most during heatwaves. Energy costs can be prohibitive, making traditional cooling methods out of reach.

KulSun: A Solar-Powered Solution to Extreme Heat

At SolarX|Works, our mission is to provide energy-efficient, sustainable solutions that keep people safe in high temperatures. Enter KulSun — a breakthrough solar-powered cooling system designed to address the unique challenges posed by extreme heat.

Key Features of KulSun

1. Solar-Powered Operation
   KulSun harnesses renewable solar energy via PV panels, significantly reducing operating costs and eliminating the need for other energy sources.

2. Off-Grid Capability
   By leveraging off-grid solar power, KulSun is especially valuable in providing cooling in areas where conventional energy might not be available or may be difficult to access. This ensures essential cooling for at-risk populations anywhere.

3. Energy Efficiency & Cost Savings
   KulSun’s innovative technology focuses on maximizing power efficiency, making it ideal for leveraging solar energy.

4. Easy Installation and mobility
   The KulSun solution is designed to be mobile and easy to set up, allowing seamless deployment across a variety of settings — from agricultural fields to outdoor organized events to large-scale industrial complexes.

5. Improved Health and Comfort
   By delivering reliable cooling even under intense heat, KulSun helps protect people from heat-related illnesses, providing safer, more comfortable conditions in workplaces, healthcare facilities, schools, and homes.

Looking Ahead

As extreme heat events become more frequent and intense, sustainable solutions will be vital for global adaptation. The data from 2024 illustrates a stark reality: climate change is well underway, and it disproportionately impacts those who are least able to cope.

KulSun offers a practical, eco-friendly, and cost-efficient way to stay cool, protect at-risk individuals, help stabilize our shared environment and can pay for itself by preventing just a few serious heat-related illnesses. By reducing dependency on traditional energy grids and minimizing carbon emissions, KulSun not only addresses immediate cooling needs but also contributes to long-term climate resilience.

Ready to Learn More?

Interested in discovering how KulSun can protect your community or business from the dangers of extreme heat? Contact us at SolarX|Works to learn more about our solar-powered cooling solutions. Together, we can fight back against rising temperatures, safeguard at-risk populations, and pave the way for a healthier, more sustainable future.

2024 -- The Hottest Year on Record?

The year 2024 has been marked by an extraordinary and unprecedented rise in global temperatures, making it potentially the hottest year ever recorded. The years 2023 and 2020 are both tied to the current hottest years on record, but 2024 is on track to surpass this record. Escalation in heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, and record-breaking temperatures around the world has raised serious concerns about the state of our climate. Let’s take a closer look at the factors that have made 2024 a year of extreme heat.

Heatwaves: A Defining Feature of 2024

From North America to Europe, Asia to Australia, heatwaves have been one of the defining features of 2024. Here are a few examples of the most extreme heat events:

1. North America: Parts of the United States experienced their hottest summer on record, with some regions reaching temperatures above 50°C (122°F). Cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Houston saw prolonged periods of extreme heat, leading to power outages and health emergencies.

2. Europe: Southern Europe endured one of its most intense heatwaves, with temperatures in countries like Italy, Greece, and Spain reaching up to 48°C (118°F). These extreme conditions triggered widespread wildfires and health crises, disrupting daily life and tourism.

3. Asia: In India and Southeast Asia, heatwaves arrived earlier than usual, with temperatures exceeding 45°C (113°F) in several regions. These prolonged heat periods put immense pressure on water resources, agriculture, and energy supplies.

4. Australia: Australia experienced one of its hottest winters, with temperatures in some areas reaching summer-like highs. The unusual heat has had severe implications for the country's wildlife and ecosystems.

A rise in heat-related injuries and death

In 2023, more than 2,300 people died in the U.S. due to excessive heat, the highest number in 45 years. With the record-breaking temperatures and long stretches of extreme heat in the summer 2024, it is expected that 2024 will see an even larger number. Heat-related ER visits also rose in 2023, with a total of 119,605 and 92% of those occurring between May and September. With models indicating additional days of extreme heat each year going forward (up to 54 more days per year of extreme heat by 2050), we can expect these numbers to continue to rise unless we do a better job of protecting the most vulnerable from the heat.

A renewable energy-powered cooling solution

Here at SolarXWorks, we believe that solutions are needed to help people mange extreme heat events. A lot of peoples’ jobs require them to be outdoors. Some people don’t have access to air conditioning or can’t afford it. Some people want to attend outdoor events or gatherings and are exposed to warm temperatures.

That is why we created the KulSun solar people cooling solution. KulSun is a all-encompassing, portable cooling shelter that provides air conditioned relief from the heat all while running on 100% renewable solar power. A first of its kind solution, KulSun can be easily transported and setup at your job site, community gathering area, or event space and begin generating a climate controlled space in just minutes.

Each KulSun comes with everything needed to produce your cooling shelter: our proprietary cooling unit, the custom-designed pop up tent, solar panels, and all necessary cabling.

We that the KulSun can help make future extreme heat events more tolerable, help reduce heat-related illnesses, and improve safety. We are currently accepting orders for delivery before summer 2025. For more information check out our website and feel free to contact us if you would prefer to chat directly!

About SolarXWorks

SolarX|Works is an innovative company focused on leveraging solar technology to address global challenges like extreme heat, food preservation, and sustainable refrigeration. They offer applied solar solutions such as the KulSun solar people cooling system, xCOLD refrigeration technology, and SolarXOS power management, providing off-grid, renewable energy-powered solutions for a variety of use cases. Their aim is to create practical, sustainable solutions to help reduce carbon footprints, provide energy to areas without access to energy, and improve efficiency in industries facing climate challenges.  www.solarxworks.com

A successful field test for a solar-powered people cooling shelter

Last month we conducted a successful field test of the xCOLD solar-powered cooling unit leveraging a tent-like shelter to simulate an off-grid climate-controlled environment for people. 

As weather has become more unpredictable and extreme, heat-related illnesses are becoming a serious factor for businesses and governments to consider.  In the U.S. alone, 33% of workers are exposed to the outdoors as a regular part of their job.  The hotter it gets, the less productive workers become and the greater the risk of injury or even death.  Climate controlled spaces are one of the best solutions for preventing heat-related injury.

SolarXWorks and the xCOLD have a solution to help solve this challenge by providing a renewable-powered cooling solution that can blow cold air into any space without the need for conventional power sources. 

With some help from our friends at Western Shelter (www.westernshelter.com), we setup one of their airframe fast setup shelters to be our cooling space, a 13' x 13' x 11'1" space.  Within minutes, we had the shelter ready to go, the solar panels lined up, and the xCOLD blowing cold air.

At the time of the test, we experienced a ground temperature of over 110°F.  Within 15 minutes of running the xCOLD, the temperature inside the shelter dipped below 80°F.  Within 30 minutes of running, the temperature inside the shelter was down to 72°F.  A difference of 40°F!  We were pleasantly surprised with these results, as the xCOLD is still a prototype and not optimized for this specific use case.  However, it proved that our solution could be leveraged in this use case and help solve this problem—reducing the instances of heat-related illness by providing an off-grid climate-controlled space wherever it is needed.

What comes next?  We have a couple of things on our to-do list.  First, we plan to take the xCOLD on a road show to demo in the southwest states (Arizona, California, Nevada).  This region have been ravaged by extreme temperatures during the summer 2023 and is likely to have more extreme heat in the future.  Our platform provides businesses and governments in these states a solution to help battle heat-related illness—whether for outdoor workers, guests at outdoor events, and those most vulnerable such as the houseless and low-income population. 

Second, we are working on a revised version of the prototype xCOLD.  One that is easier to transport, more efficient, and cheaper to build and therefore offered at a lower cost.  This second generation prototype will be much closer to the manufacture-ready design and will allow us to economically build multiple units for additional field testing with potential customers. 

More to come in the near future!  If you have any questions, would like to do a field test with us, or simply want to learn more feel free to email us at contact@solarxworks.com or visit our Contact page to submit a form.

The Rise of Heat-Related Illnesses

A lot of people work outside—in the US alone it is around 15 million people, which is approximately 10% of the total workforce. And as we see more and more heat waves and extreme temperatures due to the effects of climate change, these outdoor workers are at an increased risk of heat-related illness.

Not only do the extreme temperatures increase the risk of serious injury and even death, it also reduces work efficiency and can be extremely costly. To put this into perspective, it was found that for every 1°C rise above room temperature, there is a 2% loss in productivity. By 2100, the EPA estimates that the US will lose 1.8 billion labor hours across workforces due to extreme temps, adding up to $170 billion in lost wages. And bringing it back around, 1 single case of heat prostration can cost a business up to $69,000! These are significant stats to a significant problem!

The not so crazy thing is, that heat-related illnesses are entirely, 100%, preventable. With proper training and equipment, outdoor workers can work safely in high temperatures.

The SolarXWorks xCOLD mobile cooling system can help be part of the solution to stop heat-related illnesses. By being 100% solar-powered and mobile, the xCOLD can be easily transported and begin blowing cold air in a matter of minutes. And it is space-agnostic, meaning that it can be attached to a variety of spaces—such as a tent, trailer, container, etc. All you need is the sun and the xCOLD can provide cooling for a temperature-controlled environment!

Air conditioning has been proven to be one of the most effective ways to reduce heat-related illness and the xCOLD can provide that in any place and any space! For more information check out the rest of our website, YouTube page, or contact us at contact@solarxworks.com

SXW featured by Central Oregon Daily News

We were recently featured by Central Oregon Daily News! We discussed the xCOLD solar-powered refrigeration system as well as our use cases for the system. Check out the link here to the article, which includes a video.

SolarX Works team shortlisted startup in the UAE FoodTech Challenge

We are thrilled to be one of the top 30 organizations shortlisted in the UAE FoodTech Challenge.

The challenge is a global competition that seeks to find the next wave of technology innovations to strengthen food security. There was 667 remarkable start-ups from 79 countries that entered into the challenge.

We are super excited to show how our technologies can support the UAE’s existing and potential new measures for climate adaptation.

SolarX|Works receives the CCA Impact Award

In May of 2021 SolarX| Works was invited to participate in the Cascadia CleanTech Accelerator which began in late May and continued through to mid September.

It was a great opportunity for refining our communications, being mentored, pitching pitching and more pitching and then further refinement of our pitch.

The Accelerator concluded with an award ceremony. We are so pleased to have received the Impact Award as – the company with the biggest tangible environmental and market impact.

We've been selected: Open Ideo Solutions Accelerator Program

This year SolarX|Works was thrilled to be selected to be part of the Open Ideo Food Systems Game Changers Lab.

Late 2020/early 2021 Open Ideo put out a Global Open Call inviting submissions to participate in a global community of food systems solvers.

They were looking for organizations who had an innovation that could contribute to a better food future for everyone, everywhere. A key criterion for selection was for people who were able to think systemically about feasible actions, which can be sustained over time and would shift the capacity of food systems to advance global goals for people, planet, and prosperity.

Blake Barthelmess and Monica Vandenberg both participated as part of a SolarX|Works team alongside people from four continents in a 12-week program to develop a Food Tech solution.

The "Cool" Benefits of Pre-Cooling saving post harvest loss

Pre-cooling can be simply defined as the removal of heat from recently harvested produce.  The sooner produce can be brought down closer to its optimal storage temperatures, the greater the quality of the produce can be maintained.  In addition to maximizing produce quality, pre-cooling also increases shelf-life and leads to increased profits for the growers. 

Some numbers to think about:

• Up to 50% of post-harvest produce is lost in emerging markets due to lack of proper storage

• In the U.S. alone, it is estimated that there is $44 billion of post-harvest waste that could be at least partially recuperated with better pre-cooling

• Every hour between harvest and pre-cooling (at a field temperature of 95°) can result in as much as 20 hours of shelf life reduction

One challenge farmers face today around pre-cooling is how to balance maximizing transportation efficiency but minimize quality and shelf-life loss.  Since most pre-cooling is done away from the field such as in a walk-in cooler or at a cold storage facility, the farmer must decide at what point during harvest to transport the produce to begin pre-cooling.  Smaller, more frequent transportation loads can result in pre-cooling sooner to maximize shelf-life but is more expensive or requires additional transportation equipment.  Larger, less frequent loads can save on transportation costs but result in produce taking longer to begin the pre-cooling process and therefore risk reducing the shelf-life.

The SolarX|Works xCOLD can help balance this equation.  By being a 100% off-grid capable, solar-refrigeration system, the xCOLD can produce a room cooling environment at the site of harvest, reducing the distance from field to pre-cooling to 0.  xCOLD even has the potential to create a forced air cooling environment as well.  And because it runs 100% on renewable energy, you don’t need to worry about plugging it to the grid or making sure the generator has fuel.  If there is sunshine, the xCOLD can blow cold air.

The xCOLD’s space agnostic design means that it can work in a variety of cooler spaces—such as a 20’ shipping container, a walk-in cooler, a semi-truck trailer, etc.  So let’s say that you have an old insulated shipping container on your farm.  At harvest time, you could drop it off on the field as an off-grid pre-cooler.  Just plug the solar panels into the xCOLD and attach the xCOLD to the container and start blowing cold air.  You now have pre-cooling capabilities on site and on demand.  You could choose to leave the produce in the solar pre-cooler until it reaches a certain temperature, or just until you have enough produce to fill an entire transportation load to go to storage.  Either way, you are quickly bringing down the produce closer to appropriate storage temperature, increasing shelf life!  You could even just pick up the container and use it as the transport device!

We believe the xCOLD can play an important role to improve pre-cooling throughout the world, leading to more food reaching the customers’ plates and increased revenue for the producers and their families.  Check out the Pre-Cooling section of our website for more information and feel free to reach out via our Contact page if you have any questions!

Donald McGraw

COO

Sources:

http://nhb.gov.in/documents/cs2.pdf

https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/b5b1b32a-6535-4eb0-bed2-663c4b8d4ac4/resource/03ee7373-6d50-41e6-b542-e8a0323c1e68/download/2002-736-14.pdf

SolarX|Works Field Test Update 06/18/20

Greetings all.

We at SolarX Works hope that you are safe and sane as you continue to navigate the challenges we all face.  There is no doubt the last several months have been … well … they have been an experience. One silver lining amidst the COVID-19 restrictions was our opportunity to double down on field testing our prototype. Social distancing was certainly not a problem at our test facility in rural Washington State.  We have spent the last several weeks pushing our system and introducing various test from the “how low can we go” to the “how long can we run.”  The results of our field tests have been very encouraging.

Here are some highlights (all tests have been run in “stacked” mode):

• We have had successful sustained operations for over ten hours running on solar alone (using six 300 watt panels).

• We have reached a low sustained interior temperature of 23.5°F / -4.72°C (and a lowest point of 16°F / -8.9°C) – ambient temperature was 73°.

• The system maintained its heart beat and the control system stayed awake for many days. 

• The control system is able to manage both source and load (both charging the battery and running the cooling system when solar is available).

• And we were able to maintain a consistent 41°F / 5°C set point for the duration of a 12 hour test – ambient temperature was 80°F)

In the coming weeks we will be installing Control System 3.0, improving the air flow, and running field tests in split mode. Stay tuned for more wins.

Blake Barthelmess, CEO

Root Cellars--Old Tech with New Life

Long before the invention of modern refrigeration, root cellars were a critical solution for food storage and preservation.  That simple technology has played a critical role throughout history.  The concept is simple—dig down into the earth to create a space with natural, controlled-temperature and a relatively consistent humidity to reduce food spoilage.  Fun fact: A good root cellar can maintain temperatures 40°F below ambient.

This natural cooling technology is still used in many parts of the world today where modern refrigeration is unavailable or too costly to implement. 

The SolarX|Works xCOLD platform is an ideal solution to pair with this old (but still practical) technology. The xCOLD is designed to be space agnostic—meaning that it can be paired with just about any type of cooling space to create a cold environment for storing perishables.  Part of the design concept is the xCOLD’s ability to function in a ductless, split form factor (think similar to a ductless heat pump in your house).  This allows for the cooling unit (containing the evaporator) to be placed up to 18 meters (not quite 60 feet) away from the control unit (containing the smart controls and condenser) to create cooling in hard to reach places.  In the root cellar example, the control unit would be attached to the solar panels outside the entrance to the root cellar.  The cooling unit would then be placed inside the root cellar and blow cold air to maintain a constant storage temperature—capable of being colder and more consistent than the root cellar on its own.  In addition, root cellars are naturally insulated, so maintaining a constant storage temperature in instances when the sun isn’t shining would require less backup power than other types of storage spaces. 

This application of the xCOLD would create a hybrid between old and new technologies and create a storage platform that is more economical for many areas around the world where building a state-of-the-art cold storage facility is simply not feasible.  Since the root cellar space already exists, the cost of creating a “modern” refrigerated environment leveraging the xCOLD technology would be reduced to only the cost of the xCOLD and the solar panels to run it.  In many areas of the world where post-harvest waste is a major issue, this could be a cost-effective solution to reduce waste and lead to increased revenue for local farmers.

SolarX|Works Stands with You

To all our partners, family, friends and colleagues … just a few words.  We have certainly entered a unique time. There is more than enough uncertainty, concern and fear to go around. Many of us are simply trying to navigate the turbulence.  I think it may be Delta Airlines that started using the term “unexpected rough air.” Well, here we are – unexpected rough air.

I suppose I would argue that many are living the new normal already. We are all trying to make the best decisions and choices we can with the information we have, and that information is subject to change from moment to moment.  The team at SolarX|Works continues to work on our next generation applied solar solutions… from home. 

How I truly wish that we had thousands of our mobile units in the field, each filled with vaccines for COVID-19… not because that represents sales… but because that represents the fact that a solution has been found. Now is not the time for me to try to sell you anything, convince you to invest in us, or schedule a demo. That is not what this blog is about.  No, now is the time for the world’s citizens to unite and understand that we share this moment, we share this planet, and we are all on this journey together. We started this company because we had a passion for people and this pandemic has impacted people’s lives.

Rather than focusing on all the voices trying to politicize COVID-19 or remind everyone to stay home, I prefer to take a page out of John Krasinski’s playbook (see his YouTube “SGN” videos for more details). Let’s look around at all the amazing things that are happening as people rise to the occasion and step up to support one another, reconnect with family, experience nature and rediscover themselves during this splendid separation. Three cheers to the parents who are building pillow forts with their kids, a round of applause to the couples and families who have found each other again, and a true standing ovation to all the essential workers suiting up, showing up and working hard each and every day.

Thank you. Be safe. Find joy.

Blake Barthelmess, CEO

The SolarX|Works xCOLD Trailer is Ready!

Last week was an exciting week for us here at SolarX Works.  We completed the buildout of our insulated trailer.  The idea behind this trailer is to not only have a way to transport the xCOLD solar-powered refrigeration system and the panels needed to run it but also to have a mobile space to keep cold.  We believe this is the ideal way to show people the capabilities of our system—as we can bring the system to them wherever they are and demo it in person.

One of the unique features of the xCOLD is its capability to keep a variety of spaces cold as it is designed to be “space agnostic”.  The xCOLD combined with a trailer makes for the ideal portable, off-grid, walk-in cooler.  It is very easy to transport and setup.  During transport, the xCOLD and solar panels are secured in place inside the trailer.  Once you reach your location, put the xCOLD in position to optimize airflow (cold air in and hot air out).  Next place the panels in position to maximize sunlight collection, connect them together and attach them to the xCOLD.  All that is left at this point is turning the xCOLD on and the cold air will begin blowing.  The xCOLD can be setup and running in less than 20 minutes and the same could be said for breaking it down to be ready for transport once again.

Since completing the trailer modifications, we have begun field testing to collect data on what the unit is capable of in this scenario.  We are very excited in what we have been able to observe so far as the internal temperature of the trailer has reached temperatures as low as 16.3° (-8.7°C)!  Over the next few weeks will continue to field test the unit and add additional variables into the equation such as water to freeze and create thermal mass.

More updates to come in the near future!  Continue to check in on our website and blog as well as on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn).

Donald McGraw, COO

Human Experience-Enabled by Energy

As articulated by Wikipedia: In his 1954 book Motivation and Personality, Abraham Maslow fully expressed his hierarchy of needs theory. Maslow used the terms "physiological", "safety", "belonging and love", "social needs" or "esteem", and "self-actualization" to describe the pattern through which human motivations generally move. Let’s think about that model within the context of SolarX|Works - I think we can all certainly agree that there are a series of basic human needs. 

Among these are:

•        A safe and stable food supply that meets the needs of a population and provides the possibility of economic growth.

•        Clean air and water for health, wellness and sustainability.

•        Protection from harsh environmental conditions.

•        Health and well being to maintain a sustainable culture

•        A safe and secure environment in which to learn and grow

•        And the ability to connect with others to disseminate knowledge and facilitate communication

The UN recently reinforced these ideas with The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.

At its heart there are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

Blake Barthelmess

CEO

SolarX Works attend the 2020 Egypt Cold Chain Exhibition

A few weeks ago, we had the opportunity to attend and speak at the Egypt Cold Chain Exhibition in Cairo, Egypt. This was an amazing opportunity and we met some great people and businesses. Egypt as a country understands the importance of a proper cold chain, as they have stated that as much as 35% of food goes bad that is farmed in their fields.

Blake and I spoke on the state of solar power in the cold chain. We discussed how large warehouses are currently leveraging solar as a way to offset traditional energy sources by placing panels on the roofs of their buildings. Although this has typically required subsidies in the past to make business sense, with the price of power steadily increasing and the cost of solar decreasing, it is making more and more business sense every day.

In addition to using solar at the warehouse level, there is a lot of traction in the use of solar for smaller-scale refrigeration. This is where we come in and our xCOLD solution can play an important role in reducing food waste. We refer to these applications as first mile, last mile, and micro distribution.

First mile, also known as pre-cooling, is the use of refrigeration to bring produce down to proper storage temp shortly after harvest. This not only reduces the amount of spoilage that occurs during transport but also reduces the energy needed to cool the product once it reaches the cold storage warehouse. Our xCOLD unit is a perfect solution for this type of application. The xCOLD’s modular, portable design allows it to be moved from place to place to provide cooling to multiple harvests.

To paint a better picture, imagine a standard 20 or 40 foot shipping container on a trailer, with solar panels mounted to the roof and the xCOLD unit mounted to the container. As tomatoes are being harvested, they are placed in boxes and then placed inside the container, which is producing cold temperatures down to -17° F. As the harvesting moves across the field, the container is towed along to provide easy access to continue to cool tomatoes as they are harvested. Once the harvest on this field is completed, the container can then be moved to the next field or be transported to the cold storage for more permanent storage. In many places throughout the world, improper temperature-controlled storage post-harvest results in significant product loss—sometimes up to 50%. By leveraging the xCOLD in the scenario described above, post-harvest loss could be significantly reduced, resulting in more food reaching the market and increased income for the local farmers.

Last mile refers to refrigeration just prior to being purchased by the consumer. Typically this is done at a grocery store or market. At the grocery store, a dollar saved equates to $35 in increase sales. To translate, this means that by just saving $1 (let’s say by reducing energy for refrigeration), it is equivalent to increasing the sales at the market or grocery store by $35. This shows how thin the margins are an how much of an impact cutting costs are at the last mile. By installing the xCOLD at this point to replace the traditional refrigeration system, the grocery store or market would reduce their electricity costs and therefore increase their margin significantly.

The last (but not least) use case we touched on during our presentation was around the concept of micro-distribution. This refers to setting up small solar-powered refrigeration systems (say attached to a walk-in cooler or shipping container) in communities throughout a country’s distribution network and allowing local people to manage and sell refrigeration as a service. When local farmers harvest their goods, they can then bring them to this collection point where it is handled and stored by the people in charge for a small fee. When the produce is ready to be transported and sold, it is removed from the storage facility and shipped on its way. This concept is already taking shape in many emerging markets, such as Nigeria—for products such as tomatoes and fish. What is so fantastic about this idea is that not only does it reduce waste and improve the profitability for the farmers, it also provides income for the locals who run the micro-distribution center.

As we wrapped up the expo, we were very pleased by the interest and reception by the people who attended. We feel that Egypt sees great value in products like the xCOLD and other solar-powered refrigeration systems and that these products can help meet their goals of reducing post-harvest waste.

We look forward to heading back in the near future!

Donald McGraw, COO

Words from the CEO: What is Applied Solar? Solving for X

As an applied solar company, we focus on localized, real world solutions which improve the quality of life for Earth’s citizens. We simply believe the time has come for solar energy to deliver on its promise. With that, we are looking to leverage the best that the solar industry has to offer to help solve real and immediate societal challenges across the globe.

“Applied solar” is a means to differentiate ourselves from others by focusing on practical enablers, specific outcomes, and benefits. That is not to say that those companies that focus on roof-top or field / ground installed solar solutions aren’t enabling opportunity. Those solutions are not at the core of who we are. We are not an integrator or a solar installer. We are a solutions provider with a specific and unique platform built on various patents pending.

I suppose we think about the “X” in our name as a variable in an equation and we associate that variable with opportunities / challenges.

It looks something like this:

Blake Barthelmess
CEO

Words from the CEO: The Beginning, Continued

Our story continues in a conference room in the basement of a hotel in DC. My co-founders and I started this company because we saw a problem and we thought we might have a solution. We were attending a meeting in Washington DC associated with the Global Cold Chain Alliance Assembly of Committees where the concerns about an inefficient supply chain and the lack of cold storage surfaced.  I say surfaced … but I mean grabbed our heartstrings and played them like Jack White punishing his guitar.

Surely, we could help in some small way.  Surely, we could make a difference.

This conversation led us to table, a pen, and a napkin… and SolarX|Works was born. We sketched out a platform (literally doodled on the back of a napkin) that blended our backgrounds in solar energy, logistics, and in cold storage… looked at each other and thought “hmmm – we might actually have something here.”

You will hear various statistics depending on what sources you access… for example: from one third of global food production is wasted post-harvest to 50% of post-harvest yield in developing nations is simply thrown out. However, you slice the numbers a significant enough percentage of food harvested never reaches a table … and a large contributing factor is the lack of storage (particularly temperature-controlled storage).  Add to this the expected increase in food demand (an additional 33% of mouths to feed by 2050 or a 60% increase in food supply) and the shifting climate patterns and we have a dilemma.  How do we, as global community, solve for this?

Well, our SolarX|Works platform can help. Are we the solution to global food issues and climate change? No. But we sure are PART of the solution.

Blake Barthelmess

CEO

Words from the CEO: The Beginning- Applying Solar

Where to begin? Perhaps it is appropriate to simply begin at the beginning as this kicks off my first official blog journal as CEO.

To provide some context: SolarX|Works is a young applied solar startup with a passion for harvesting the power of the sun to enable interesting and relevant solutions and although I have been Chief Executive Officer (and, along with the other founders; Janitor, Whiteboard Doodler, Stuff Hauler, Therapist, Patient, Wrench Turner … and just about everything else as required) for several years and probably should have been blogging all along, the timing just wasn’t right.

SolarX|Works has been operating quietly, building momentum, refining the concept of “applied solar” (which I will unpack a bit later) and designing, fabricating and testing our solutions. We are now truly at the stage to expand the conversation.

There is an anecdote about Albert Einstein which (true or not) resonates here

Dr. Frank Aydelotte, the then President of Swarthmore College once invited Einstein as the guest of honor at a dinner. When he was called upon to speak, he said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m sorry but I’ve nothing to say.” The brief speech didn’t go well with the guests. Noticing this he arose again and added, “In case I do have something to say, I’ll come back.”

Six months later he wired Dr. Aydelotte, “Now I have something to say.” Dr. Aydelotte promptly gave another dinner at which Einstein made his speech.

And now… well … now we at SolarX|Works have something to say.

Over the coming weeks I will endeavor to share our incredible journey and some of our insights with you. You will have to forgive me if my tone is both conversational and intimate as opposed to corporate and remote. We choose a culture that celebrates service, relationships, intimacy, transparency, accountability and fun. Every once in a while, I will throw a buzzword in by mistake (like “unpack”).

Blake Barthelmess
CEO

Q1 2019 Update

So far 2019 has shown a lot of promise!

In February, we attended and exhibited at the Spokane Ag Expo in Spokane, WA. We saw a lot of interest from attendees for our xCOLD refrigeration system. Some of the use-cases brought up by attendees included off-grid refrigeration for food, cooling for farm workers on hot days, storing meat while hunting, and disaster relief cold storage for medicine. With this crowd only being a small segment of our potential market, it showed to us that our solution is viable and can solve numerous problems around the world!

In addition to talking about SolarX Works at the show, we also brought along the xCOLD with a small tent to demo the concept for those that attended. This was very well received. People enjoyed standing in the tent and it was cold! We were able to bring the tent temperature down to 31 F in only a handful of minutes!

Since the show, we have had multiple conversations on the topic of field testing the xCOLD unit later this year. There are multiple opportunities to do this in the works—both here in the U.S. as well as abroad. The goal with this would be to further prove our concept’s viability as well as collect data to further improve our design.

Things feel like they are moving fast and we are excited to see further progress in Q2 2019. Check back here for future updates and keep an eye on our social media for other SXW news!

Donald McGraw
CIO,CMO