Unique group
Construction of solar farms in farmers' hands
Through a unique pool, farmers in the Drenthe municipality of Borger-Odoorn are trying to fill part of their agricultural land with solar panels. They hope that this increases the chance of success. The project was co-developed with green energy specialist GroenLeven. Farmers who do not qualify for a solar farm can also benefit.
Arable farmers are used to selling their grains, potatoes and onions via a pool. Why not a pool for solar farms? That's what agricultural entrepreneur Jan Reinier de Jong wondered. Together with GroenLeven, he set up a group for colleagues who want to give up land. The phone is now red hot, he says.
Transparent initiative
"Plans were being made in our region for the installation of wind turbines. The municipality of Borger-Odoorn was more interested in solar farms. This resulted in a wave of individual applications that were all rejected," explains De Jong. "Project developers prey on agricultural land and farmers have sometimes signed unfavorable contracts. GroenLeven controls the entire chain: from the permit to construction and energy sales. This makes the initiative transparent and the invested money remains in the region."
No crooked faces
"Because Groenleven manages the entire chain, there is money left over. This partly goes into the group," continues De Jong. "At the moment we have about 20 participants who jointly contribute 350 hectares of land. The municipality ultimately decides on which plots of land solar panels can be placed. The owners then receive an annual fee. Participants who fall outside the boat receive an option fee. there are no crooked faces and everyone benefits from the solar fields."
The exact amount of the fees is not disclosed. For the land, this involves several thousand euros per year per hectare. The option fee varies depending on the amount of solar farms realized. According to De Jong, there is a lot of interest among farmers in the municipality. In the municipality of Aan en Hunze and Stadskanaal there are now also voices for such a pool.
Quick decision
By working together, the group hopes to have a better chance at the municipality. Borger-Odoorn has now drawn up a policy plan for the construction of solar farms. By allowing the municipality to choose which grounds are suitable, the initiators hope to facilitate rapid decision-making. "We think this setup is unique," says GroenLeven spokesperson Maarten de Groot. "This is one of our first groups and the interest is certainly there. It mainly concerns farmers who register because they have sufficient land at their disposal."
6.000
hectare
Counter-argument
De Jong and De Groot are regularly told that all roofs must first be filled with solar panels. "Most participants already have their shed roofs full," says De Jong. "We cannot manage with only solar panels on roofs. The government wants to have 2023% green electricity by 16 and close the coal-fired power stations in 2030. If the province of Drenthe wants to fill this in with only solar panels, 6.000 hectares of land will be needed, of which 450 hectares in our congregation."
"The pool has a duration of 10 years. Every year we try to bring in land. It concerns both agricultural land and land that is unsuitable for this. Strangely enough, nature and solar energy do not go together. 1.000 hectares of agricultural land have been extracted in our region. through the construction of roads, houses and nature. That is accepted. Why not a solar farm?"
De Groot has an interim solution in mind: "As a company, we are also looking at dual-purpose parks. The soil under the panels is managed by sheep or pigs. That is also a possible solution for Drenthe. It depends, among other things, on the requirements that the municipality states”
Not in 2018
The municipality's policy plan states that space will be provided for 2 solar farms of 50 hectares and 10 of a maximum of 5 hectares. An official response to the group has not yet been given. "We are applying for an SDE+ subsidy for the realization of a solar farm. A permit from the municipality is required in advance," says De Groot.
The first SDE+ tranche will start in March. De Jong does not expect that the first panels will be installed on his land this year. A second SDE+ tranche will follow in November. In addition, an award must also be granted.
Also read the interview with GroenLeven director Sytse Bouwer. 'We want to show that things can be done differently'.
Niels van der Boom
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