Heemskerk Plants, Noordwijk, has recently placed 2,300 solar panels. Together, these panels have a peak capacity of 650,000 kWh. That is roughly equal to the yearly energy demand of the nursery, according to Loek Teeuwen.
The panels have been placed on different roofs. That is why they are not all positioned in the same direction, and at any time during the day there are some panels optimally positioned. "The main advantage is that we can spread the yield. We want to average out and not peak, because in this way we can use more of our own power."
The energy demand does not meet solar activity 1 on 1. "We have the largest energy demand during winter. It's when we supply the most plants, and all machines are running. At the same time, solar activity is at its lowest and we have to buy grey (expensive) energy. We also need power during the summer, mostly for cooling, but we are producing more than we need. We can return the extra watts to the grid. All added up, we should be producing about as much as we need."
The panels have been placed by EXPIRION, a company specialized in solar panels and a known name in the ornamental flower sector (click here for an overview of completed projects). The return on investment should be about six years.
For more information:
Heemskerk Vaste Planten – Perennials
De Boender 7
2204AE Noordwijk
T: +31-(0)252-340351
F: +31-(0)252-377898
E: loek@heemskerkplants.com
www.heemskerkplants.com
Expirion
Van de Woestijneheem 37
2182 WL Hillegom
T: 0252 51 64 20
M: 06 26 93 48 81
E: j.burgerhout@expirion.nl
www.expirion.nl