At Royal Pride in Middenmeer Netherlands, there are more than 70,000 solar panels on a 15-hectare greenhouse. The project accounts for 31.2 megawatts. The greenhouse complex is equipped with integrated solar panels, which allow enough light to grow certain crops underneath. Those crops will not be tomatoes and cucumbers, the default crops for Royal Pride. Before making the final decision on cultivation, the growers want to know exactly what the weather conditions are in the open greenhouse and how much light is actually coming in, they share with Dutch newspaper Financieele Dagblad.
According to GroenLeven, who realised the agri-PV project, the Royal Pride installation is distinguished by several unique elements that are a great example of multifunctional use of space. "The semi-transparent panels used not only generate electricity but also allow light to pass through, which is beneficial for crop growth and agricultural use of the land. In addition, the land under the greenhouse will be made available again to Royal Pride for its business activities."
In the roof, also a whole pipe system is installed. All the rainwater that falls between the pointed roofs is collected through drainage pipes and drained into an 8,000 cubic meter water basin. All water for the plants.
The project also includes the construction of a corridor of solar panels with closed walls, where Royal Pride can use this space for storage.
"There is scarcity on the grid in the Netherlands, but there was still space in Royal Pride's area. Moreover, the company had land on which a greenhouse would be built. This has become a special greenhouse that generates electricity that large-scale consumers in the neighbourhood can use", according to Willem Biesheuvel, GroenLeven's project manager. "It all comes together in a handsome piece of work, where both energy and crop harvests shine. Agri-PV Royal Pride makes a significant contribution to the energy transition and sustainability of the agricultural sector. The innovative solar park combines crop cultivation with electricity generation, creating a win-win situation for both the agricultural sector and the energy supply. The project is a great example of how solar energy and agriculture can go hand in hand and contribute to a greener future."
Source: FD / GroenLeven
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