Solar panels: what do you pay attention to?

You see them more and more often: large solar panels. But, why do farmers invest so much in solar panels, and what should you pay attention to? In this article we help you on your way to making the right choice for your situation.

With solar panels, the agricultural entrepreneur becomes the energy supplier. Solar panels convert sunlight into energy; throughout the year. Actually, they could also be called light panels. Although the sun does not shine every day in the Netherlands, solar panels are very interesting in the Netherlands.

The generated electricity can be used by the farmer himself or fed back to the grid. Moreover, today there are quite a few interesting subsidies and schemes to make that investment extra attractive. Besides the fact that solar panels are good for the environment, they are also good for the wallet. In addition, the value of the company often increases because your energy label improves.

Is my roof suitable for solar panels?
A roof is quickly suitable for solar panels. There are many different options for installing solar panels: both for flat and pitched roofs (such as corrugated iron roofs or steel roofs with sandwich panels).

Ultimately, however, it is about the yield and not about the size of your roof. In addition, a roof does not necessarily have to face south to achieve a good yield. Too much shade on your roof does have a negative effect on the yield of an installation.

How do you calculate the yield?
The yield of solar panels mainly depends on the amount of sunlight that falls on the solar panels. However, many more factors play a role in the yield.

• Watt peak: the power of the solar panels. Most panels have a capacity of between 285 and 340 Watt peak per panel.
• Location: the west of the Netherlands has more hours of sunshine than the east of the Netherlands.
• Roof surface: the larger the roof, the more space for panels.
• Shade: Shade has a negative effect on yield. However, with the right installation plan and the right materials, you can also generate a high yield with shade on your roof.
• Inclination angle: the inclination angle of the roof (or in the case of a flat roof the inclination angle of the frame on which the panels are installed) determines the angle at which the sun shines on the panels.
• Orientation: a roof does not necessarily have to face south. With a roof with a not too large angle of inclination, the sun also shines sufficiently if it is located on the north. Another option is an 'east-west arrangement', whereby the sun hours are distributed over the panels during the day.

With all variables in view, Energy Shift creates a professional installation plan with an associated expected yield. The company has so much experience in making these calculations that a minimum yield guarantee is given. With the Online calculator you can fill in variables, where a preliminary yield forecast rolls out. This calculator can be completed free of charge and without obligation.

How many solar panels do I need?
How many solar panels you need depends on how much power you use. Power consumers can be divided into small consumers and large consumers.

• Small consumers have a connection of a maximum of 3 x 80 Ampere.
• Large consumers have a connection larger than 3 x 80 Ampere.

A small-scale consumer may set off the balance: the days on which he generates more than he consumes are set off against the days on which he generates less than is consumed. The goal of a small-scale consumer is therefore: to install just enough solar panels to get the annual consumption to 0. Please note: the netting arrangement applies until 1 January 2023, after which it will be phased out (more info here).

A large consumer can receive a subsidy per kWh generated. He can also supply (sell) the electricity that he does not use himself back to the grid. As a result, a large consumer becomes the energy supplier itself. For a large consumer it is therefore interesting to install as many solar panels as possible.

What tax benefits and subsidies are there?
There are a number of ways to make the investment in solar panels on roofs more financially attractive.

1. Tax Benefits
There are a number of schemes regarding the tax deduction that shorten the payback period for solar panels: the Energy investment deduction (EIA), the Small-scale investment deduction (KIA), the Environmental investment deduction (MIA) and Arbitrary depreciation of environmental investments (Vamil).

2. Subsidies
For large consumers, solar panels are only interesting with a subsidy. The most well-known is the SDE+ subsidy. This gives you an amount of subsidy per kWh generated in order to stimulate the generation of sustainable energy.

Read here much more about tax breaks and subsidies for solar panels.

Closing comments
High demands are made on the solar panels on a farm. Due to various circumstances (such as dust, sand, moisture and ammonia), solar panels are having to endure more and more. Energy Shift from Barneveld therefore offers farmers quality solar panels with a high yield guarantee, whereby all the work is taken off their hands. Knowing more? Click here to go to the website of Energy Shift.

This article is part of the entire article on solar panels installations. Click here to read the entire article.