It is not an everyday sight, a greenhouse full of solar panels with climate cells inside. Such a greenhouse has been built in Meijel. This raises resistance because isn't a greenhouse meant to grow crops using natural light? Now, the sunlight is converted into electricity for the climate cells, or to trade on the electricity market.
The Limburg Court assesses the case and looks at the literal text of the zoning plan. From this, it follows that the judge does not agree with the objectors. The judge sees a horticultural greenhouse with crop cultivation inside. 'The fact that sunlight entering through the walls has only a limited impact on the growth process in climate cells does not change this. The plan regulation does not require that,' we quote from the ruling of March 7, which was recently published. An appeal against the environmental permit for the much-discussed project in the municipality of Peel en Maas has been declared unfounded.
Cultivation in climate cells
The permit for the construction of the greenhouse was already issued in 2009. Even then, the business plan stated that it was an 'innovative concept' in which crops such as lettuce and baby leaf are grown vertically within climate cells. 'The advantage of cultivation within climate cells is that it is pesticide-free, the crops have a longer shelf life, and more vitamins are retained.'
A lot of electricity is needed for the climate cells, which can be largely provided because the greenhouse roof is equipped with solar panels, as stated in the business plan. In total, 5 climate cells have an annual consumption of 3,500,000 kWh including internal transport. The solar panels integrated into the greenhouse generate 4,250,000 kWh annually. Annually, this results in approximately 750,000 kWh being supplied to the grid, generating additional revenue for the company, according to the business plan.
In 2022, the municipality decided, after an inspection, to impose an enforcement order against those involved in the project. A new inspection took place last spring. At that time, there were four small climate cells on the property. It was also noted that a diesel generator was present on the property to serve as a power supply for the climate cells. The solar panels were not connected to the climate cells during the inspection. Reason for the Limburg Court to rule that the municipality was allowed to take enforcement action, which was supported by Glastuinbouw Nederland.
Not an energy company
According to critics, the construction of the horticultural greenhouse is only intended to support solar panels. The greenhouse has no function for crop cultivation. For this reason, according to the objectors, there is no cultivation in a greenhouse, and the project could just as well be located on an industrial site instead of in a horticultural area.
The judge sees no reason to assume that the project will only function as an energy company. The permit holder has further explained the (cultivation) plans, the judge knows. 'In cultivation, there are open climate cells, where the climate in the greenhouse and light entry remain important. (...) The glass walls are important to counteract negative weather influences on production,' we quote from the ruling.
An appeal against the ruling is possible.
Rise of solar panel greenhouses
The case about the project in Meijel is not unique. In recent years, more solar panel greenhouses have been built or realized. The published rulings indicate that it is at least important that cultivation (can) still take place in a greenhouse. In many cases, in areas designated for horticulture (such as concentration areas), using a horticultural company for (solely) generating solar energy is not desirable, not allowed, and not permit-free, Glastuinbouw Nederland previously pointed out.
Index photo: image project Meijel, May 2022, via Google Maps