Leaf crops do well under translucent solar panels. This is partly because the crop is protected against driving rain and hail. Multiple cultivation rounds are also possible thanks to the higher temperature under the panels. This is shown by a successful trial that Duurzaamheidspark Oss (Sustainability Park) conducted last year with the cultivation of various crops. The positive news was picked up by RTL Nieuws as a result of an in-depth article on the RVO website.
“Solar panels protect crops against driving rain and hail”
In 2020 this project was one of the winners of our HiTMaT-call and has used the money to further develop the potential of this innovation. With result! Patrick Bekkers of Duurzaamheidspark Oss and colleagues have grown various crops under solar panels at a test location in Oss over the past year. It concerns green beans, butter beans, red cabbage, beetroot, potatoes, strawberries, lettuce and endive. “The crops thrive under the solar panels. The plants need water, but not too much. The solar panels protect them against driving rain and hail, which means that the ground does not close so quickly.”
Read more at RVO.nl (in Dutch)
RTL Nieuws
The successful trial prompted RTL Nieuws to film with a crew on location at Sustainability Park Oss. In the item of May 14 (start 14:48) Patrick explains what the trial has provided for useful information for the follow-up project. The aim is to carry out tests in several places in the Netherlands in order to achieve even better results.
Click here for the news item (in Dutch)
Regulation for energy and climate innovation: DEI+
The trial in Oss was carried out with financial help from Demonstratie Energie- en Klimaatinnovatie (DEI+) via Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO). This trial investigated how the cultivation of agricultural crops can be combined with solar power production. This multifunctional use of agricultural land is one of the most important points in the sustainable energy policy of Minister for Climate and Energy Rob Jetten.
