Dulas Partners with SOLARWATT: Setting a New Standard for Sustainable Cold Chain
For over 40 years, Dulas has been at the forefront of off-grid vaccine refrigeration. From pioneering designs to modern cold-chain infrastructure, our mission has remained unchanged: to ensure that vital, life-saving vaccines reach the communities that need them most, no matter how remote.
Today, we are proud to announce a major step forward in our sustainability journey. Starting in November 2026, Dulas is transitioning to SOLARWATT as our primary solar panel supplier, combining world-class British engineering with next-generation photovoltaic technology.
Pioneering Performance: High Efficiency for Demanding Climates
Operating vaccine refrigeration in off-grid or remote environments requires components designed to withstand harsh local conditions, from extreme ambient temperatures to heavy dust exposure.
Moving forward, every Dulas Solar Direct Drive (SDD) refrigerator system will be supplied with 2 × SOLARWATT photovoltaic panels generating over 450 Wp each. Delivering a total system power of over 900 watts, this upgraded setup ensures an abundant, reliable energy supply.
Key features of the new system include:
Why SOLARWATT? Shared Values in Sustainability
For Dulas, choosing a partner goes beyond performance specifications. As a business with a 40-year legacy built on environmental responsibility, we evaluated our supply chain to ensure our products protect both human health and the planet.
SOLARWATT stood out for its industry-leading commitment to three core areas:
Low Carbon Footprint: SOLARWATT modules are manufactured with a carbon footprint 50% lower than standard market modules, helping us reduce the overall lifecycle emissions of our refrigerator systems.
Ethical Supply Chains: We believe that equipment should be ethically produced. SOLARWATT promotes fair labour and zero use of forced or child labour. They also support fair pay and maintain independent supply chain auditing.
Circular Economy Design: Built for durability and long-term performance, these panels support a circular economy through high recycled content using 75% recycled aluminium and 45% cell silicon combined with end-of-life recyclability.
Real-World Impact: Next Stop, Burkina Faso
The impact of this partnership will be felt almost immediately in the field.
In November 2026, the very first order of Dulas Solar Direct Drive refrigerators featuring the new SOLARWATT panels will leave our dedicated manufacturing facility in West Sussex.
This initial shipment of 20 solar refrigerators is bound for Burkina Faso, ordered by an international NGO working in the humanitarian sector.
With each refrigerator offering enough volume capacity to store vaccines for 10,000 children, this single shipment will help protect up to 200,000 children against preventable diseases.
Panels being loaded at our warehouse
“By pairing our proven refrigeration technology with SOLARWATT’s high-efficiency panels, we are ensuring that healthcare workers in off-grid locations have the most reliable cold chain equipment available.”
Gemma Atherton, Procurement manager at Dulas
“We are delighted to be working with Dulas to support the next generation of sustainable cold-chain solutions. This partnership demonstrates how high-performance solar technology can support critical infrastructure while delivering lasting social and environmental impact in communities around the world.”
Peter Bachmann, CPO & Managing Director, SOLARWATT
Looking Ahead
As climate challenges evolve and the demand for sustainable healthcare infrastructure grows, Dulas remains committed to delivering low-carbon, highly reliable solutions.
By integrating SOLARWATT’s sustainable solar technology into our WHO PQS accredited refrigeration systems, we are ensuring that the next 40 years of cold-chain innovation are cleaner, stronger, and more resilient than ever before.
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