Outdoor cafes are becoming increasingly popular in Canada. Their open-air setup allows guests to enjoy fresh air and unwind after a busy day. If you, too, want to set up an outdoor café, it is important to prepare yourself first.
An outdoor cafe requires a smooth, stable supply of electricity to keep things running. From powering espresso machines to running lighting, heating, and payment systems, everything in a street-side café demands electricity. A reliable power supply helps improve customer experience, reduce downtime, and boost business operations.
Solar generators, with their high-performance capacity, can provide steady power to your outdoor cafe. These generators use solar panels to capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electrical energy. They not only deliver uninterrupted power but also make your café a favourite spot for eco-friendly customers. But you need a good-quality solar generator to enjoy the best performance.
Evaluating The Power Requirements of An Outdoor Cafe
Outdoor cafes require a lot of electricity. From brewing coffee at lightning speed to transforming the outdoor space into a comfortable hangout venue with lighting and heating, cafes heavily rely on electricity for their day-to-day operations.
Let’s explore the power requirements of open-air cafes for a clear picture.
(1) Daily Power Needs
An outdoor cafe relies on various equipment for its daily functions. Each piece of equipment draws a certain amount of power, so it is essential to understand its specific requirements.
Espresso Machine
An Espresso machine is the most essential part of a cafe. It requires significant power, especially during peak hours. A high-end commercial espresso machine can consume between 1,500 and 3,000 watts. Small-scale cafes often use a Nespresso machine, which would typically use 1200-1500 watts of electricity. They are made for brewing single cups of coffee and may not handle high customer volume.
Freezers and Refrigerators
A cafe must serve fresh food and cool beverages. Commercial refrigerators, depending on their size and energy efficiency, use between 500 and 1,500 watts.
Blenders and Mixers
You will need a range of smoothies and refreshing drinks to lure more customers. And you need blenders and mixers for that purpose. They can use around 500 to 1,000 watts depending on their size and frequency of use.
Lighting
Proper lighting in an outdoor cafe can enhance the ambiance of the place. It also allows customers to enjoy the texture of the food and the shades of their smoothies. Decorating your cafe with LED lighting is a smart move. They are energy-efficient and typically use 5 to 20 watts per bulb. However, the overall power usage depends on the number of lights installed.
Point of Sale System
This includes card readers, cash registers, and receipt printers. All this equipment uses about 10 to 100 watts of electricity, and it needs consistent power for smooth functioning.
Heating or Cooling Equipment
Outdoor cafés usually require portable heaters during colder months and fans and coolers during the summer. These machines are likely to use around 1,000 to 3,000 watts.
(2) Peak Load Considerations
Power consumption in an outdoor cafe varies throughout the day and increases significantly during peak business hours when multiple machines are in use simultaneously. It is crucial to ensure that the cafe’s electrical system can handle this demand without crashing. In such cases, a solar-powered generator can prove highly beneficial.
(3) Impact of Seasonal Variations
The power requirements of an outdoor cafe are also affected by seasonal changes. Here is how different seasons impact power usage:
Summer: In warmer months, an outdoor café will require more electricity to operate cooling systems such as fans or air conditioning units. They may also experience higher customer traffic, increasing the demand for espresso machines, refrigeration, and lighting.
Winter: In colder months, an outdoor cafe will require power for its heating systems. Outdoor cafes usually use portable heaters and infrared heating lamps to keep customers warm and comfortable during winter months, and these systems require substantial power for their smooth functioning.
Rainy Seasons: During rainy seasons, an outdoor cafe relies on artificial lighting and covered areas such as electrical awnings, tents, and umbrellas. This further increases the need for having a stable supply of electricity.
(4) Challenges from Special Events
An outdoor cafe is a favourite place for holding live performances, weekend festivals, and parties. However, to make the event a success, cafes need temporary sound systems, extra lighting and more kitchen equipment to handle the large crowd. Proper planning and organization are needed to handle this surge in power requirements.
If you intend to plan an event in your outdoor cafe, you should consider the power demands of the following equipment:
Sound System: Large music and DJ setups require significant power. These setups need a sound system with speakers, amplifiers, and microphones, all of which draw electricity. Depending on size and complexity, a sound system can use anywhere from 200 to 1,000 watts.
Extra Lighting: Special events mean more lighting for decoration and ambiance. This includes string lights, spotlights, or outdoor lamps, adding to the power load.
Temporary Equipment: Special menus or pop-up kitchen areas require additional equipment in the café. The outdoor cafe may need portable ovens, grills, or food trucks, all of which add to the café’s overall power requirements.
Essential Power Solutions for Outdoor Cafes
You need a consistent power supply to manage the daily operations of an outdoor café. A well-lit and well-organized café setup with smooth operation will boost your customer satisfaction.
There are two power solutions that can support every electronic item in your café: main grid power access and solar generators. Let’s analyze their roles in powering an outdoor and help you choose the best one for your business needs.
1. Mains Grid Access - Daily Indoor Power Use
Main or traditional grid power access is a preferred choice for managing indoor café operations. It provides a stable and continuous power supply essential for daily coffee and meal preparation. By avoiding power fluctuations, the conventional grid can also power lighting and kitchen appliances. This reliable connection ensures an outdoor cafe can meet high customer demand without interruption.
What To Consider When Connecting with The Main Grid?
- Circuit Layout: A reasonable circuit layout is crucial to prevent overloads and ensures efficient power distribution throughout the café. Proper planning can help avoid issues during peak hours.
- Energy-Saving Equipment:Use energy-efficient appliances in your café. It can significantly reduce electricity consumption, saving you a significant amount of money on utility bills.
- Durable Cords and Waterproof Connectors:Since you are setting up an outdoor cafe, it is vital to select durable, weather-resistant cords and connectors. This not only ensures safety and reliability but also minimizes the risk of electrical hazards due to moisture or environmental exposure.
2. Solar Generator - Backup Power and Outdoor Power Needs
Besides the main grid, café owners can also adopt solar generators to ensure the smooth functioning of their setup. But first, what are the common problems with traditional power supply?
- Power outages can disrupt the operation of the café. This can impact customer satisfaction and revenue.
- Traditional energy sources may also lead to high utility bills, particularly during peak usage times.
- Conventional generatorsrely on fossil fuels. This contributes to carbon emissions, which is a growing concern for many businesses and consumers.
Installing solar panels on the cafe's rooftop or nearby space is a practical solution for consistent power supply compared to a main grid setup. However, certain things must be considered to ensure a proper installation process.
- Space Availability:Installing solar panels requires space. Assess the roof or adjacent areas of your café where solar panels can be safely accommodated. Make sure the panels are positioned right to capture the maximum sunlight without damaging the café's ambiance.
- Local Regulations: Check local zoning laws and building codes to ensure compliance before installation.
- Initial Costs vs. Long-Term Savings:Installing solar panels requires a big upfront cost, but the savings on electricity bills and possible tax benefits can make up for it over time.
Advantages and Applications of Solar Generator Canada:
- Backup Power:Solar generators provide a reliable backup during power outages. They ensure uninterrupted service and maintain customer satisfaction.
- Portable Power Supply: Solar generators are portable and lightweight, making them suitable for outdoor setups. They enable flexibility in powering lightingand heating equipment without relying solely on grid power.
- Environmental Benefits: Solar generators use solar panels to capture energy from the sun. By using this everlasting renewable resource, solar generators minimize carbon emissions, increasing your café’s appeal in the eyes of eco-conscious customers.
Creating A Stable Electricity Supply for Outdoor Cafe Areas
Outdoor cafés encounter several challenges with electricity supply. Especially on weekends and holidays, when there are huge crowds, cafés need a reliable and consistent energy supply to ensure smooth operation and satisfy customers. However, energy supply can be inconsistent, particularly in locations with limited grid connections. Weather conditions such as heavy winds and rainfall can also affect power reliability. Such weather can disrupt the power lines and cause power outages, leaving your café without power during peak business hours.
Additionally, security issues further create complications for an outdoor cafe. Outdoor installations, such as lighting fixtures and power cords, are susceptible to theft and vandalism, further disrupting the operations of your café.
All these challenges increase the need for a reliable portable power supply that can deliver consistent power irrespective of the changing climatic conditions.
1) Plan A Proper Power Infrastructure
You need to create an effective power infrastructure for your outdoor cafe setup. Design a smart line layout, which means planning the proper placement of electrical lines to ensure even distribution of power. It will also help prevent voltage drops, which can affect the performance of the equipment.
Then, select energy-efficient equipment. Look for appliances and lighting with high energy ratings. These devices will use less electricity, consequently lowering utility bills. Adopting these two simple techniques will help cafes create a reliable power system that meets their needs without incurring high utility expenses.
2) Protective Measures:
Implement protective designs to safeguard your system’s electrical components against weather impacts. Install waterproof materials to prevent damage and carry out regular maintenance to ensure the smooth functioning of your power supply system.
Jackery Popular Solar Generator Options
Jackery can save you the hassle of planning and installing a reliable power supply system. As a leader in designing solar-powered solutions, Jackery has several products that can keep your outdoor café running from dawn to dusk, making sure every outdoor coffee table is served well.
Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro - Large Capacity
The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is ideal for open-air cafes that need reliable and continuous power throughout the day. Its large 3024Wh capacity can easily power up to 99% of your outdoor appliances, including refrigerators, coffee machines, lighting, and even espresso machines. The generator’s ultra-fast solar charging allows it to be fully charged in just 6-7.5 hours using six SolarSaga 100W solar panels, while wall charging takes only 2.4 hours. The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro has a portable design. It features a pull rod and double wheels, making it easy to move the system around your cafe.
Moreover, the smart app control of Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro allows users to easily monitor the battery usage of their system. Its cold-resistant feature allows it to deliver optimal performance even in chilly temperatures, making it perfect for winters in Canada. The silent operational capacity is a cherry on top. By working quietly, it will help maintain the peace and ambiance of the café.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus - Expandable
The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is a versatile, expandable portable generator for cafes with varying power needs. It has a base capacity of 2 kWh, which can be expanded to an impressive 24 kWh with additional battery packs. This flexibility allows outdoor café owners to scale power supply based on the current demand. Its leaping performance enables it to power heavy-duty devices of up to 6000W. This makes the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus reliable for powering larger equipment.
The generator can be charged quickly with 6 SolarSaga 100W solar panels in just 6 hours. With this solar generator, your café operations will continue without a halt!
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 - Compact and Portable
The Jackery Solar Generator 1000v2 is a more compact and lightweight option. With a 1070Wh capacity and 1500W output, it can handle smaller appliances like blenders, espresso machines, and lights, ensuring your café remains functional.
It features multiple charging ports for added convenience and can be fully charged using solar panels in just 3 hours or via a wall outlet in 1.6 hours. Its portability and fast charging make it an excellent option for smaller setups or mobile cafes.
Wrapping It Up
The pleasant weather of Canada calls for a cup of coffee at an outdoor cafe. But a cafe without a stable power supply will surely leave customers in a sour mood.
Jackery solar generators, with their high-performance capacity, can help build a consistent power supply setup for an outdoor cafe. Besides helping café owners maintain their daily operations, they can also be beneficial when it's time to host events and festivals at your outdoor space.
