'We want to show that things can be done differently'

Solar fields are currently a 'hot issue' among farmers and landowners in the Netherlands. GroenLeven is a party that responds well to this. The company creates, develops, builds and operates solar energy systems. These are the words of Sytse Bouwer, director of GroenLeven.

Bouwer started the company in 2011, together with his partner Hans van den Brug. Bouwer's wife is also actively involved in the day-to-day running of GroenLeven. 

Why did you choose solar energy?
"We wanted to do something in sustainability, but fun was of paramount importance to us. Because if you do something with pleasure and you do it well, you can grow quickly. At the start of GroenLeven, we consciously opted for the agricultural market. This is because farmers often have large roofs, consume a lot of energy and have room to invest. We have now grown into the market leader in building and operating large-scale solar roofs and solar parks."

What is currently going on with farmers in the field of solar energy?
"At the moment we see that many foreign and new parties are hunting on farmland. They make great promises, but we often see that they are not fulfilled. They promise mountains of gold, but do not look at a good social and landscape integration of solar fields. As a result, solar fields are often portrayed in the wrong light. That has to change and we want to make a positive impression."

How are you going to tap into that?
"We want to show that things can be done differently. Each location deserves its own approach. For example, the land can often be used twice. We build solar fields in places where sheep, chickens and pigs can graze or where crops can be grown. In order to satisfy all those involved, we always keep to our agreements, we offer an option fee and we ensure that the solar fields can be integrated into the landscape and society.In addition, I always say to the farmers: look at the possibilities. If it's too good to be true, it often is."

You are talking about an option fee. What exactly does that mean?
"GroenLeven organizes a regional collective, which the farmer and his colleagues can join. From this collective, everyone who wants to make land available is rewarded with a fee, regardless of whether the solar farm can be realized or not. In this way the farmer always wins and shares in the success of his colleagues in the region."

You also have a collaboration with FrieslandCampina. How does that collaboration work?
"Right, indeed. In this collaboration our roof rental solution is central. From the first SDE+ subsidy round of 2017, we will install more than 310 solar panels on the roofs of 416.000 farmers in the Netherlands. This results in electricity for approximately 33.000 households. This is very advantageous for the farmer: he does not have to invest, receives a rental fee and does not have to worry about it. The electricity generated by the farmers goes to FrieslandCampina, with which it wants to make its production chain and offices greener and more sustainable. In addition, the farmer has the option of purchasing green electricity on his roof. The farmer can also buy the solar energy system for a predetermined price per year. About 350 farmers have applied for our roof rental solution from the second subsidy round."

How do you view the future?
"Our slogan is: doing is the new way of thinking. Just do it and then you will learn it automatically. We have developed ourselves considerably in recent years and have become the market leader in the coming years. We want to grow even further in the coming years. emphasis on sustainability. That gives us many opportunities. We see the development of solar energy with a positive attitude."

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