Israeli Startup SolCold Develops Glacier 110: A Revolutionary Sun-Powered Cooling Coating
SolCold has engineered an innovative nano-coating capable of cooling buildings, vehicles, and industrial equipment when exposed to direct sunlight. The technology is already being piloted by major automakers and deployed in commercial breweries. Founded in 2016 in Ness Ziona, Israel, the startup has introduced a groundbreaking approach to lowering surface temperatures and slashing air conditioning costs. The coating operates on the principle of anti-Stokes fluorescence: the material absorbs sunlight and re-emits it at a higher frequency, effectively drawing heat away from the surface. Remarkably, the more intense the sunlight, the stronger the cooling effect—all without consuming a single watt of electricity.
The concept was born on a sweltering day when SolCold’s founder and CEO, Yaron Shenhav, experienced an AC breakdown in his apartment. Teaming up with Hebrew University physics professor Guy Ron, Shenhav transformed this pain point into a commercially viable technology. Today, SolCold manufactures Glacier 110, a film coating that can be applied to roofs, walls, vehicles, shipping containers, and industrial tanks. Real-world applications yield striking results: the coating reduces surface temperatures by 5°C to 15°C compared to standard materials, with the most significant impact observed on building roofs at peak midday hours. In joint trials with Volkswagen, applying the film to a vehicle’s roof and body panels slashed the cabin temperature by 12°C to 14°C. Similar tests have been conducted with other automotive brands, capturing the attention of industry giants like Hyundai and Toyota.
The industrial sector is also capitalizing on this technology. Breweries, for instance, are applying SolCold to fermentation tanks. This helps maintain optimal temperatures during heatwaves, stabilizes the brewing process, and cuts cooling energy consumption by up to 30%. The film is already in use by facilities across Israel, the US, Brazil, and Europe. According to the company’s developers, adopting this material can reduce electricity expenditures for air conditioning by 30% to 60%, depending on the facility type. This presents a critical solution for sun-drenched regions and densely populated urban areas grappling with the urban heat island effect. Furthermore, the non-toxic material boasts a projected lifespan of 10 to 15 years.
As SolCold continues to penetrate new markets, the company has completed dozens of pilot projects and is currently raising capital to scale up production. Backed by a robust patent portfolio, SolCold’s coating offers a highly practical solution for cooling infrastructure and transportation amid surging global electricity rates. Ultimately, the startup is proving that the sun’s energy can be harnessed not just to generate power, but to actively cool our environment.
