A large majority of suitable commercial roofs do not yet have solar panels. This offers opportunities, because with solar panels you become an energy supplier yourself. Solar panels convert sunlight into energy all year round. Despite the fact that the sun in the Netherlands does not shine every day, solar panels are still very interesting.
In September 2019 it turned out research that 93,5% of potentially suitable commercial roofs, with a roof area of more than 1.000 square meters, do not yet have solar panels on the roof. By way of comparison: if half of these roofs are covered with solar panels, all households in the Netherlands can be supplied with sustainable electricity. Where are the opportunities in the agricultural sector?
Dairy farmers
Dairy farms often have large cubicle sheds and felling and field barns. That means a lot of available roof surface for solar panels. The energy consumption mainly depends on the milking method. If conventional milking takes place in two milk passes, the energy consumption peaks twice a day due to the pump and the cooling of the milk. Dairy farmers who use milking robots have a higher energy consumption, which is more constant day and night.
> Read the story of a dairy farmer with 800 solar panels
Arable farmers and fruit growers
Arable farmers and fruit growers often have large sheds with a lot of roof surface to store their harvest. Energy consumption peaks during the harvest months of September and October, as the harvest must be refrigerated, ventilated and kept at a constant temperature. Depending on market prices and contract agreements, the harvest can sometimes remain in the sheds for a year.
> This arable farmer invested in 1.090 solar panels
Poultry and pig farmers
Both poultry farmers and pig farmers have sheds with a lot of roof surface. All year round, a lot of energy is needed for ventilation, air scrubbers, feeding and sorting systems and the lighting in the stables. Although the energy consumption of poultry farmers depends on whether chicks, layers or broilers are kept, they all have a high energy consumption in the summer. With solar panels, electricity can be produced that runs parallel to the energy demand.
> A poultry and pig farmer with 2.277 solar panels tells his story
Sheep and goat farmers
The stables and sheds of sheep and goat farmers also often have a lot of roof surface. The energy consumption is mainly caused by the pumps during milking and cooling the milk. When sheep or goat cheese is also made, energy is also consumed during this process.
> This goat and rearing company has 441 solar panels
Veal farmers
There is a lot of demand for veal worldwide. That is why veal calves are an attractive trade for the Dutch livestock industry, with its large milk and cheese production and therefore a large number of calf births per year. A veal farm has many stables with boxes and group housing for calves. Energy is used throughout the year for ventilating and lighting the stables, and for feeding and sorting systems.
> Read the story about a veal farm with 416 solar panels
Flat roofs
The variety of small and medium-sized enterprises is enormous. One company consumes a lot of energy with office work, the other with large and heavy machines, and another by organizing events. Many companies therefore have a large roof surface, which is extremely suitable for solar panels.
> This accountancy firm has no fewer than 1.496 solar panels on the roof
All these companies save considerably on their energy costs and produce sufficient electricity for a large part of their annual consumption, and sometimes even for their entire annual consumption.
Would you like to know more about your situation and how great a return you can get from an investment in solar panels on your roof? For tailor-made advice, please contact Energy Shift, a specialist who has installed more than 600 solar panels in the Netherlands and has applied for and received subsidies for more than 460.000 solar panels.