With the sign language of the Energy Transition Covenant Greenhouse Horticulture 2022 - 2030 , the greenhouse horticulture sphere is usher its ambition to be both economically profitable and climate - neutral in 2040 . One - third of Dutch horticulturists already use a form of solar panels , as it is one of the most sustainable sources of Department of Energy for horticulture , and twenty percent project to invest in them , grant to research by AgriDirect . BOAL Systems saw this trend as well and has been diving deeper into the word regarding the utilisation of solar vitality in horticulture .

To ensure that the mood and Department of Energy transition in the sector stay , the dependence on fossil energy reservoir must be reduced , and the contribution of clean-living push must farm . This means that if glasshouse agriculturist desire to continue practicing their craftiness , smart measures are needed . swap from glass cover organization to solar screen system could be such a smart measure . But what does this switch demand , and what does it mean for finish ?

LightingFor most crops , a one percent decrease in light level results in an as one percent decrement in crop fruit , grant to research by Wageningen University & Research . Although some call this light ruler debatable , commission a greenhouse cover organisation of solar panel does have the necessary impact on crop production due to the reduced light inscribe the greenhouse .

One possible solution for this is subsidiary lighting with hokey twinkle , but this postulate an additional investing . Another alternative is to switch to harvest more suited to semi - shade or deep shade , such as spinach , kale , cauliflower , herb , berry , blackberries , or bedding plants .

Local development planWhen switching from a glass cap to a solar cap , it is also important to chink beforehand whether this match into the municipality ’s local ontogeny plan . The local ontogenesis plan prescribe what bodily process are allowed in places within a municipality . A municipality may find that such a modification changes the function of the greenhouse : from a finish activity to an DOE - generate activity .

To determine whether such a modification is allowed under the local development plan , it is authoritative to check whether this design includes stipulation that say something about energy generation and solar panels on agrarian sites .

Types of panelsWhen it comes to solar roofing , there are two types . First , there are the traditional and mass - produced 30- or 35- millimetre framed panels : the regular market oblation . The heaviness of these panels want a specifically designed mounting system with appropriate roofbars , a specific ridgeline , and a gutter . Second , are the 4 - mm framed panels . At the location of the sheathing , the heaviness of this jury corresponds to the thickness of horticultural glass , which means it can be mounted like a glass control board .

The advantage of the 4 - mm arrangement is that the complete circle of profile used for 4 - millimetre horticultural glass can also be used for the solar roof . The disadvantage is that such panels are moderately more expensive than traditional panel , but this investment is largely recovered through less labour in assembly .

Rainwater drainageRainwater infix the trough , menstruate to a headway gable or editorial drainpipe , and can shroud the bottom part of a solar venire . Without voguish regulation , a solar cap is as efficient as the least efficient cell . So a selection must be made between accepting some contamination - from sand in the rainwater , for example - on the grim cells or placing extra glass just above the toilet .

The latter cater a slightly less utile control surface area for the solar roof , but there is also less befoulment as a issue . Usually , the choice is made to get over an entire roof side with solar panels , and thus no underlighting is used . This solvent allows for the maximum usage of the operative surface field , and investment in heap profiles and odd - sized windows is stave off .

Grid congestionWith the Department of Energy transition , the part of electricity in Energy Department use is increasing in a mountain of industry , causing blockages in the electricity control grid ( grid congestion ) to become an issue in more and more area . The switch to solar vigour means that a lot of energy will be pumped into the electricity storage-battery grid , so it ’s important to check with the energy supplier whether there is sufficient raptus capacity available from the location of production to feed into the electricity grid in procession .

If half of the energy generate is lose , this is patently very inefficient , and it is questionable whether the investment will pay off . Waiting for unexampled power line to be install take a long time . A potential solution is a assault and battery organization that leave clean might to be stack away so that the control grid is not burdened . This solution may require additional investiture but may be worth exploring .

For more info : BOAL SystemsMarie Curiestraat 3 , 2691 HC‘s - Gravenzande , the NetherlandsTel . : +31 ( 0 ) 174 316 100https://boalsystems.com/en