Proven Solar Thermal Technology – In Antarctica Since 2009

Solar thermal is not an experiment in extreme cold. It has been working reliably in Antarctica for over 15 years.

The Princess Elisabeth polar station (Belgium) 
The world's first CO₂‑free polar research base – has used vacuum tube solar thermal collectors since 2009. The system provides:

• Hot water for showers and kitchen
• Space heating
• Drinking water and washing water (by melting snow)

Performance in extreme conditions:

• Outside temperatures: -50°C
• Wind speeds: up to 250 km/h
• Overcast sky: collectors still reached 98°C
• Snow melting: 800 litres of water per day from surrounding snow
• Heating: 1,500 litres of water from 45°C to 85°C in just 3 hours starting at 4:00 AM

Source: Consolar / International Polar Foundation (2011)

Solar thermal also works at extreme altitude. 

In April 2026, construction began on a 50 MW concentrated solar power plant at 4,550 meters in Tibet, China. The site has freezing temperatures, low oxygen, and harsh winds – yet solar thermal is being deployed at utility scale. This proves that solar heat is not limited to mild climates.

Why This Matters for Aurora Skid

The Princess Elisabeth station has operated vacuum tube collectors at -50°C. Aurora Skid is conservatively rated for -40°C, with an optional polar extreme package available for -50°C applications.

Aurora Skid uses the same core technology – evacuated tube collectors – but packaged in a containerized, plug‑and‑play skid.

What the Princess Elisabeth station proved:

• Vacuum tube collectors work at -50°C – Aurora Skid can be upgraded to match.
• Diffuse sunlight (overcast) still produces heat – standard on all Aurora Skid systems.
• Snow melting for drinking water – Aurora Skid can be configured as a snow melter.
• Reliable operation for 15+ years – Aurora Skid is designed for a 20‑year lifetime.
• No lower frame on tubes (prevents ice build‑up) – Aurora Skid includes this design feature.

The difference: Aurora Skid arrives in a container, pre‑assembled. No on‑site construction. No roof work. Connect water and power – hot water in one day.

Ready for Your Polar Project

If a bespoke, on‑site solar thermal system worked at Princess Elisabeth since 2009, and utility‑scale solar thermal is being built at 4,550 meters in Tibet, a containerized, pre‑engineered Aurora Skid will work for your Antarctic station, Arctic community, or remote mining camp – at -40°C standard, or -50°C with our polar extreme upgrade.

Contact us for a free feasibility study – we will reference the Princess Elisabeth case study and tailor a system to your location and temperature requirements.

Aurora Skid – Solar heat, simplified. Built for -40°C (upgradable to -50°C). Ready for anywhere.