The Solar Impulse Foundation has recognised Solar Polar Ltd as a leading example of commercially viable, green innovation. After years of development and research, the Peterborough-based business has created a prototype module that can cool without electricity.

Co-founders Michael Reid and Robert Edwards believe the product can be used in a variety of ways, all of which require zero electricity, have zero CO2 emissions and offer significant benefits to the local economies where their products are installed. Food waste will be reduced, which could increase income for farmers and reduce prices for consumers, and plans for local manufacture once rolled out will bring jobs to smaller communities.

Michael said: "The concept is a major development in providing much needed refrigeration for areas of the world that currently have limited access due to poor or no reliable energy infrastructure.

"Recognition of the Cool Box by an organisation like the Solar Impulse Foundation is great independent due diligence for the product and will help us move the project forward."

Solar Polar's product is currently at demonstrator stage and the next step in the process is getting pilot production this year in Peterborough.

The Solar Impulse Foundation was established in 2017 to identify the leading sustainable and environmental projects from all over the world. On April 13 this year, it was announced that the foundation had identified 1,000 projects that are capable of protecting the environment in a "financially profitable" way.

Founder and chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation Bertrand Piccard said: "We now have the proof that enough solutions exist to make our world more profitable, efficient and sustainable already today. Therefore, no excuses left for inaction as decision-makers cannot pretend anymore that ecology is too expensive, hurts the economy and destroys jobs!"

To find out more about Solar Polar and the work it does, visit the website.