Installing a Solar Roof Fan on a Shipping Container

Shipping containers can become extremely hot and humid, especially when they are closed for long periods in direct sun.

Installing a solar roof fan on a shipping container can help remove hot, stale and humid air without needing mains power.

For this application, the standard Solarking Solar Roof Fan is generally the better option than the wireless model.

The main job is simply to exhaust heat and humidity during daylight hours. There is usually no need for variable speeds, remote on/off control or an AC power pack.

Why Ventilate a Shipping Container?

A shipping container is effectively a large steel box with limited natural airflow.

Poor ventilation can contribute to:

• extreme heat build-up

• high humidity

• condensation

• stale air

• uncomfortable workshop conditions

• poor storage conditions

A powered solar exhaust fan can help continuously move air through the container while sufficient sunlight is available.

Why the Standard Solarking Fan Is Better Suited

The standard Solarking Solar Roof Fan is well suited to shipping container ventilation because it operates automatically from solar power.

For most containers, that is all that is required.

As the sun heats the container, it also powers the fan.

This means you generally do not need:

• remote control

• variable fan speeds

• AC backup

• manual on/off operation

This keeps the installation simple and economical.

A Custom Mounting Ring May Be Required

The supplied flashing is designed for conventional roofing and may not suit the deep corrugations of a shipping container roof.

A better option may be to have a custom steel mounting ring or collar fabricated and welded to the container roof.

The fan can then slip down over the raised ring and be securely fixed to it.

This provides a solid mounting point and avoids trying to make the supplied flashing conform to the container roof profile.

The mounting ring should be properly welded, sealed and treated against corrosion. Cutting and welding should be carried out by someone experienced with steel fabrication or shipping container modifications.

Make Sure Enough Air Can Get In

This is one of the most important parts of the installation.

An exhaust fan can only remove air if replacement air can enter the container.

If the container is too well sealed, the fan will create negative pressure and airflow will be restricted.

In simple terms:

Air Out = Solar Roof Fan

Air In = Large Passive Vent

A suitable intake vent should therefore be installed in the doors or side wall.

For best airflow, the intake vent should ideally be positioned low and toward the opposite end of the container from the roof fan.

This encourages fresh air to travel through the full length of the container before being exhausted.

Don't Undersize the Intake Vent

The intake needs to have enough free airflow area to supply the fan.

Small factory vents may not be sufficient on their own.

A larger vent, or multiple vents, may be needed.

Keep in mind that:

• louvres reduce airflow

• insect mesh reduces airflow

• filters reduce airflow

The actual open area of the vent is more important than its overall outside dimensions.

Helping Reduce Heat, Humidity and Condensation

A solar roof fan can help remove trapped hot air and humid air from a shipping container.

This can be useful for containers used for:

• storage

• workshops

• farm equipment

• machinery

• tools

• building materials

• converted spaces

Ventilation can also help reduce conditions that contribute to condensation, although leaks, wet materials and insulation issues may also need to be addressed.

A Simple Solar Container Ventilation System

For most shipping containers, the ideal setup is straightforward:

Large low-level intake vent → airflow through container → solar roof fan exhausting high at the opposite end

The Solarking Solar Roof Fan can provide an effective solution without the need for mains power or complicated controls.

The two main installation considerations are:

1. A custom welded mounting ring may be required instead of the supplied flashing.

2. A sufficiently large intake vent must be provided to allow replacement air into the container.

Get those two points right and you can create a simple and effective solar-powered shipping container ventilation system.

View the Solarking Solar Roof Fan