A water basin full of solar panels in 2022? Start preparing now!

Horticulture is becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of solar panels on water. Solar panels can be found in more and more water basins. The Dutch government is also enthusiastic, as witnessed by the special SDE subsidy. However, it sometimes turns out that the regulations surrounding an…

Aardwarmte Vogelaer turns a need into a necessity

Horticulturalists have a heat demand that geothermal energy can provide for in a sustainable way. At the same time, a geothermal energy project has an electricity demand. In order to implement this in a sustainable way, Aardwarmte Vogelaer in Poeldijk is investing in cogeneration. And an associated CHP…

Kenya's first floating solar system

Berlin-based company ecoligo, which implements solar projects in emerging markets, announces the commissioning of Kenya's first ever floating solar plant. The 69 kWp system provides clean and affordable energy to the sustainable flower farm Rift Valley Roses. What makes it special: The solar plant floats…

Ornamental plant seedlings grown with LED lights at Purdue

Purdue University researchers’ success in using red and blue LEDs as the only source of light to grow ornamental plant seedlings indoors has led to a new phase of determining…

Resources for reaching net zero in commercial horticultural production

Over recent months the spotlight has been on the Net Zero agenda. This has made commercial horticultural businesses increasingly focus on their own carbon footprint and how…

"Optimal reflection and distribution of light"

Dutch plant grower Kwekerij P. Mostert is a typical Westland-based family business that has been growing plants in their nursery in s-Gravenzande for more than 70 years. Grower John Mostert attaches great importance to quality and sustainability. For this reason, the greenhouse consists of several…

Trias Westland geothermal net connects four new participants

From the end of February, another 4 growers (Zwinkels, Ammerlaan-Sosef, Van Stickelenburg and Kwekerij Westpoel) have been using geothermal energy from Trias Westland. This connects more than 15.5 hectares of new greenhouse horticulture area. “The cold weather conditions in February made it abundantly…

How many houseplants can offset CO2 produced from charging smartphones?

Charging our phones is a normal, everyday thing we all do. Whether it’s plugging them in as soon as we wake up or leaving them to charge overnight, it’s something we do…

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Powering Kenya's flower farms with the sun

Grace Nyachae runs a fair-trade flower farm called "Simbi Roses" in Kenya and exports roses all over the world. It's an energy-intensive business, and Nyachae needs a cheap and reliable source of power. That's often a problem in Kenya though, where power costs are high and electricity blackouts are not…

Heating greenhouses with renewable energy

The use of biomass for heating agricultural greenhouses has shown to be one of the best solutions for efficient and controlled heating of crops. These bring environment as well as financial advantages. The use of biomass as an alternative energy in the greenhouse, for example, allows you to save on…

"Crop time has been knocked down by 30%"

Canadian Valley Growers partnered with Signify to install more than 1,500 Philips brand LED toplighting grow lights over their leafy green propagation and finished production areas. “With Philips LEDs we’ve experienced quicker crop times, heavier root mass heavier leaf mass, better color,” says Bill…

"Energy efficient heating for garden centre whilst reducing CO2 emissions"

Energy solutions from CambridgeHOK are to help an independent garden centre and nursery save an estimated 79 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year – providing enough heat for the main shop, coffee shop and restaurant and garden shop. Three new Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) have been installed at the Perrywood…

Clean water? Get ready to cover up!

It’s spring again, which means growers are experiencing more solar irradiance. For growers, it is often the time to act quickly. Because as important as sunlight is, there is a disadvantage called: excessive algae growth. A threat to any open water storage system, which can cause many problems. Growers…

NL: "Don't block the light, manage it!"

The ReduSystems variety of coatings has grown significantly in recent years. Growers are leveraging the possibilities to develop a customised approach for their crop. A number of growers is switching over to another coating, while others have every reason to stay with their current choice.  Ruben Vicencio, crop…

Utility companies offer incentives for energy-efficient lighting

Supplemental lighting is most beneficial during November through February in Michigan, when natural light levels are at their lowest. An increasing number of Michigan growers have invested in either high-intensity or low-intensity lighting from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in order to increase…

NL: "World first in horticulture sector with hybrid lighting installation"

At Leen Middelburg Chrysanten in Made, the Netherlands, Stolze has installed their very first Indupar 1150-watt HPS fixtures. Middelburg Chrysanten has chosen for a higher light level for its location Midstelven, where the 1150-watt fits perfectly. Because it is an existing greenhouse, they are bound to…

UK: 100% Renewable utility contracts

NFU Energy are committed to providing resources and expert guidance on renewable energy for NFU members and businesses alike and are helping to reach the NFU’s target of…

UK: Environmental compliance for small combined heat and power

NFU Energy has a range of services to assist you and your projects' environmental compliance needs; from permitting to dispersion modelling, they can help your project go from paper to reality. The application and compliance service is designed to ensure high quality and reliable support for your project…

Drying plugs with geothermal heat

Van der Knaap recently opened a drying area for Obturo® plugs. Obturo plugs are excellent for drying and then rewetting. This has several advantages: dried plugs have a longer shelf life and it saves weight. To save energy costs, the company has devised a solution that is as sustainable as it gets: dry…

"New chrysanthemum Ilonka set for large-scale market launch"

After many years of faithful service, over the next few weeks Dümmen Orange will be replacing its top chrysanthemum Bacardi with its successor Ilonka. A chrysanthemum with pearly white petals and a fresh, green centre, Dümmen Orange has developed Ilonka in response to the changing demand from growers and…