Jakob Larsen credits solar with boosting both reliability and sales
FS Horseboxes, part of the FS Spedition Group, is one of Denmark’s leading providers of custom-built horse transporters from 3.500 kg up to 26 tons. With more than 30 years in the business, founder and owner Jakob Larsen is a well-known name in the industry. We talked to him about the day-to-day challenges horsebox owners face, what made him try solar in the first place – and the surprising results it’s had for his business.
After fitting Green Energy’s solar solution to their horseboxes and transporters, FS Horseboxes has seen what a massive improvement they’re making to the comfort and experience for drivers, riders and horses. Owners report that they no longer need to keep the engine running to generate power.
Always powered — even when parked for days
Horseboxes often spend entire weekends parked at events, serving as both vehicle and living space for horses and for their riders. During this time, on-board equipment such as fridges, lighting and heating continues to draw power, typically draining the battery unless the engine is left running regularly.
“Before we installed solar panels, I had five to eight trucks that needed jumpstarting every Sunday after the horse shows, because their batteries had died,” explains Jakob Larsen, owner of FS Horseboxes. At first, Jakob wasn’t fully convinced that the solar solution would work, but after several years selling them, he says they’ve been a big success and he’s had no complaints.
“Big credit to you guys, to Green Energy. It just works,” says Jakob. “Green Energy’s solar systems on our vehicles brings 100% more sales.”
For FS Horseboxes, battery-related problems were more than just a hassle – they were a recurring operational issue that was impacting customer satisfaction, causing unnecessary fuel consumption, shortening battery life and requiring costly maintenance.
“We used to change the batteries every two years. Now we don’t replace them at all. The system just works.”
A solution that keeps vehicles ready
FS Horseboxes began installing Green Energy’s solar systems five years ago. Today, most of their newbuilds include solar as standard, which is giving customers peace of mind that their horseboxes will stay powered, even when parked for extended periods. The battery is kept charged and stable through constant monitoring by the IoT charge controller, meaning there’s no need to idle the engine just to keep electrical devices running.
The system uses high-tech CIGS solar panels that are durable, glass-free and ultra-lightweight. They are effortlessly mounted on the roof in around 4 hours. It’s quiet, low maintenance and reliable even under heavy use.
Expanding the benefits to trucks
After seeing the difference solar made to his horseboxes, Jakob Larsen was so impressed with the results that he’s now started installing Green Energy solar panels on several trucks in his logistics company, FS Spedition.
The success of the system in his horsebox business – fewer battery problems, improved reliability and a better user experience – made it a natural choice to bring the same benefits to the wider fleet.
About FS Horseboxes
FS Horseboxes is a Danish company with more than 35 years of experience in buying, selling, and building custom horse transporters. The company’s journey began with the sale of a white Mercedes horsebox — a milestone that marked the start of FS Horseboxes’ growth in the horse transport market. Since then, FS has delivered countless vehicles to riders and horse owners across Europe and beyond.
FS Horseboxes converts and fits out both small and large trucks, working with trusted commercial chassis from brands such as Scania, Volvo, MAN, DAF, and Mercedes. Their builds range from 3,500 kg vans to 26-tonne trucks and are tailored to each customer’s individual needs. The company works with production partners in England, Hungary and the Czech Republic to bring each project to life.
In Denmark, FS Horseboxes operates its own service workshop, where vehicles are prepared, maintained, and inspected. They also assist customers with roadworthiness testing and, if needed, support resale of used trucks.
Read more abour FS Horseboxes here: www.fshorseboxes.com
About Green Energy
Green Energy is a Danish company dedicated to making sustainability more simple, accessible and impactful for businesses in transportation and construction. Our lightweight, flexible and ultra durable solar panel solutions are powered by CIGS technology. We help businesses lower emissions, reduce costs, and drive smarter, cleaner operations. Every solution we install is a step towards a greener future, where businesses lead the way in building a cleaner, greener planet. Together, we’re turning ambition into action for positive change.
