Gert-Jan Lagerweij has an energy-neutral laying hen company in the green Betuwe. The farm consists of two stables of 30.000 free-range chickens each and an extensive farm shop with regional products. Recently there is also a fast charger for electric cars in front of the door.
The 60.000 free-range eggs that the hens of Lagerweij lay every day often find their way to restaurants, shops and consumers the same day. Gert-Jan: "Our company runs on the short chain. We market as much as possible ourselves for the best revenue model. The middlemen have gone away. This way we have more left over to invest in sustainability."
Solar panels
And that's great, because Gert-Jan prefers to produce as cleanly as possible. That is why he has invested in generating sustainable energy. With 1.520 solar panels on the roof, they generate much more power than they need themselves. The company is now energy neutral and with the SDE++ subsidy they immediately have an extra and sustainable source of income.
Click here to see the entire interview.
Refuel at the farmer
All that power that is left can of course be used by other users. "But", says Gert-Jan, "we wanted to add extra value to the electricity that we have left. We are located on a busy road where about 6.000 cars drive past a day."
That's why they recently installed a fast charger for the company. A big one, because a fast charger with a capacity of 60 kW is mainly found along highways in this region. And they are a lot more expensive. "Electric cars and motorcycles now come here to refuel with green energy," says Gert-Jan proudly.
"For them, it is a great alternative to the chargers along the highway. You fill up on electricity that we have generated ourselves with solar panels." And while loading, people can enjoy a cup of coffee in the farm shop. It is also full of delicious local regional products. And from the shop you can see the thousands of free-range chickens walking around in their large, covered barn.
Energy Shift
ENERGY Shift supplied the solar panel installation, a new transformer and the fast charger. "They have helped us enormously and unburdened us." Do not only think of the delivery and installation, but also, for example, the paperwork, such as arranging subsidy applications† "That was very nice for us. You don't want to make mistakes and unnecessarily delay the process. Now everything went very smoothly and we could start quickly."
"We are very pleased with Energy Shift. It is a great company to work with. They do what they promise."
More information
Are you interested in a sustainable revenue model for your company? Request a no-obligation quote We would be happy to discuss with you what is most profitable in your situation. Both for our environment and for your wallet.