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Opinions Kasper Walter

Stop using solar panels on farmland?

7 August 2023 - Kasper Walet - 12 comments

Just before the cabinet fell, climate minister Rob Jetten indicated to the House of Representatives via the so-called 'Zonnebrief' that he wanted to stop the construction of fields full of solar panels on agricultural land and in nature. This measure restricts the freedom of choice of agricultural entrepreneurs to determine the future of their farm even further.

In the letter, Jetten indicates that he wants to use the scarce space as efficiently as possible while preserving the quality of the physical living environment. To achieve this, the government follows the so-called 'Preference Order for Solar' when applying for a permit for new solar projects. Only when projects on roofs, facades and terrains and objects within built-up and rural areas offer insufficient possibilities, locations are used as a last resort. on agricultural and natural lands.

Rules with a very Dutch scope
The Netherlands would not be the Netherlands if no exceptions were possible, albeit under strict conditions. The cabinet and provinces are working together on rules with the very Dutch purport of 'no, unless'. To this end, a limited number of exceptions are formulated, of which the conditions 'temporary' and 'multifunctional use' are in any case part. These 'no, unless' conditions will be further elaborated in the coming months and should come into effect from 1 July 2024. The question is, however, how energetically this will be tackled with the elections in November and possibly a long formation ahead.

However, the question is whether this prohibition measure is not too late? In the Netherlands, solar panels are now installed on 2.170 hectares of the total 1,8 million hectares of agricultural land. More than enough space it seems to build more solar parks. Were it not for the fact that the financial picture for the construction of solar parks on agricultural land has already deteriorated considerably in recent times due to the sharply increased costs and decreasing subsidy. Where it used to be financially interesting as an agricultural entrepreneur to give your land to project developers to set up solar parks (and thus add value to your agricultural land), that is no longer such an interesting option.

Cloudy outlook
Of course, the roofs of large barns can be used to install solar panels. This saves money on the energy bill and makes use of space that otherwise lies unused, while the farmland remains completely agricultural. To make the outlook even more murky, the current power infrastructure is also unable to handle the enormous increase in the variable supply of wind and solar energy. The manager of our high-voltage grid TenneT and local distribution companies such as Liander and Enexis are already warning of possible power failures from 2030. There are already about 6.000 companies, mostly new sustainable energy projects, on the waiting list to be connected to our overcrowded power grid. which until recently was among the best and most reliable in the world.

It is possible that the soup will not be eaten as hot as it is now served. With the fall of the current cabinet, a new political reality will probably emerge after the elections. As a result, it may just be that a different wind will blow and this proposed measure will be taken off the table again.    

Kasper Walter

Kasper Walet is a former board member of the agricultural futures market. He has now been working under the name Maycroft for years as an independent adviser on energy and climate to governments and companies from all over the world.
Comments
12 comments
Subscriber
Electricity user/producer on a small scale 7 August 2023
This is in response to it Boerenbusiness article:
[url = https: // www.boerenbusiness.nl/column/10905358/stop-with-solar-panels-on-agricultural]Stop with solar panels on agricultural land?[/url]
Good thing it stops, preferably with immediate effect. If you, as a large-scale consumer (connection heavier > 80 A), cannot lose your power to the paving stones and will soon have to pay when your panels on your buildings provide feed-in, it will soon be time that the charade of panels on agricultural land immediately stops. Even better is dismantling these fields, because it makes no sense at all.
Subscriber
solar field 7 August 2023
we have a permit to build a park, willing to exchange it for good compensation. If it is not necessary, we will not build. The coal-fired power stations that were built with a subsidy have also been shut down with a subsidy. This country is completely confused
Subscriber
sea ​​breeze 7 August 2023
Great for securing agricultural land for the production of food for humans or animals! There is plenty of room on roadsides and 40 meters vertically on windmill masts and 10 meters vertically on high-voltage pylons (1 cable added and just deliver!!!! By the way, vertical panels up to 50 meters high, preferably with 180 degrees rotation on sunlight, should be used for agricultural companies. be a good alternative. Jetten should oblige energy companies to install battery capacity for temporary storage of solar energy in problem regions. That is much better for the climate than absorbing peak shortages with gas-coal power plants. In addition, net metering for private individuals can then easily to 20 cents per Kwh instead of the current 10 cents
Subscriber
zot 7 August 2023
abolish netting immediately.
Only produce if it is profitable.
Subscriber
sea ​​breeze 8 August 2023
Crazy = crazy = fed up? Abolish and dispose of!
With Putin's escapades, this has been the best investment for many individuals. Problem : grid operators and energy producers with gigantic reserves have sat on their hands for too long and are now lagging behind . Regional energy storage or regional H2 production for recirculation E production ! Sounds simple but requires timely decisions!
Subscriber
onion 8 August 2023
if solar panels yield about 7500 euros per ha without the risk of weather or regulations, then you are not going to worry about arable crops or cows
Subscriber
Nice and warm 15 August 2023
Netting is soon over, because the first energy supplier has started a FU levy for having solar panels. So not on the import of electricity at a negative price, but purely calculated on what you import per month. In principle, you then negate the netting, and smart consumption (boiler on at peak hours) makes no sense at all.

https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/vandebron-legt-klanten-met-zonnepanelen-heffing-op-andere-leveranciers-volgen-vermoedelijk~b5c45740/

So nicely arranged. All private heat pumps, solar panel bugs that have invested tens of thousands of euros in the energy transition are now going to pay completely squint while golden mountains have been promised by the government. And not being able to take back gas or having to incur very high costs (perhaps impossible with new construction).

The government turns out to be another bunch of unreliable dogs.

I'm going tonight with my dick in a hot bath heated by my central heating boiler. No need to invest, nothing, no return fines, nice and warm. Who's going to stop me?
Subscriber
Neighbour 15 August 2023
plantation wrote:
if solar panels yield about 7500 euros per ha without the risk of weather or regulations, then you are not going to worry about arable crops or cows
Just arrange a permit, Japie.
Subscriber
Annick 30 August 2023
Seawind wrote:
Crazy = crazy = fed up? Abolish and dispose of!
With Putin's escapades, this has been the best investment for many individuals. Problem : grid operators and energy producers with gigantic reserves have sat on their hands for too long and are now lagging behind . Regional energy storage or regional H2 production for recirculation E production ! Sounds simple but requires timely decisions!
And installing a small electrolyser yourself, could that possibly be a long-term solution?
Subscriber
Drent 30 August 2023
plantation wrote:
if solar panels yield about 7500 euros per ha without the risk of weather or regulations, then you are not going to worry about arable crops or cows
onions 60 tons x 30-40 ct is better, potatoes the same, beets will cost 80 euros. I don't know, but it is always more than 7500 and you are free with your land every year, if you are going for money you better sell it now for a ton or more.
Subscriber
onion 31 August 2023
do you have no costs and 30% grain your own labor or do you charge like a farmer
Subscriber
Southwest 31 August 2023
If you are going to calculate labor , grain is your best crop .
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