• Defy has launched a new fridge and freezer that can go off-grid using a solar panel and battery.
• The solar-powered fridge can keep cooling food like a normal fridge for three days while completely off the grid.
• The products will be launching across Africa in what Defy calls their biggest launch ever.

Today in Johannesburg, South African manufacturer Defy has launched two new loadshedding-proof appliances in the form of a fridge and freezer which can both go off-grid. These appliances are both solar-powered and together with a battery, can last up to three days without being plugged into the socket, the company claims.

The company held the launch at the Victoria Yards near the city centre together with its parent Arcelik, itself a subsidiary of Koc Holdings, the biggest conglomerate in Turkiye. Defy called it the company’s largest launch ever.

Both of the appliances can function through the wall plug or through solar panels. They can be used in a hybrid setting or completely off-grid through battery storage. The solar energy is converted to the battery via a energy control panel that comes with the fridge and freezer.

The Defy Off-Grid Solar fridge retails for R9 999 and the freezer for R8 999, however, the solar panels and the battery for energy storage are not included. So customers must have these already otherwise the off-grid fridge is simply just another fridge. Luckily the smart control box is also included.

According to Defy’s marketing director Cagdas Fidan, the company already has an agreement with FNB Avo for the purchase of the fridge or freezer, solar panels and the battery through monthly payments. In total, this deal is valued at around R27 000 paid in monthly installments.

Defy says that the running costs for the appliances while using solar power is R0. Otherwise the appliances work as normal fridges and freezers despite being off-grid.

“That’s the beauty of it,” Fidan told Hypertext, “It is just like every other fridge.” Both the appliances can manage the same temperatures as normal fridges and freezers while off-grid, with the freezer able to descend down to -24 degrees.

Defy is manufacturing the off-grid appliances in its factories in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, and providing the first off-grid fridges and freezers in the country to the community of Umalusi, close by, free of charge.

The appliances are expected to be welcomed by small business owners, such as spaza shops, where loadshedding can affect the kind of goods they sell. The fridge and freezer are also completely green while off-grid, aiding in the greater journey of South Africa going net zero in terms of carbon emissions.

According to Mustafa Soylu, CEO of Defy, the company will be selling the appliances in its 35 markets across Africa, including Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo and others.

“In the face of power outages, they have the capability to function completely off-grid with battery and solar panel. During the day they run on solar power, but at night or overcast or during loadshedding conditions, the smart control box technology switches to battery,” explained Soylu.

“They are also here to prevent unnecessary food spoilage during blackouts,” he added.

Defy and its partners made a big deal about the devices being used by small businesses and households, but the fact that the solar panel and necessary battery to go off-grid are not included could provide a major barrier to a wider adoption.

The rollout of the appliances is expected soon following today’s launch.