Kok Aardbeien hope to get down using its new installed solar boiler this week . A petty later than planned , but nicely in time before the weather really turns .
This solar water heating organisation for greenhouse heating form these Dutch strawberry growers , who are also taking on a unexampled greenhouse this winter , unique . When they involve , G2 Energy , the system ’s supplier , told the agriculturalist they were the only strawberry raiser with such a organisation .
A expert intellect for them to distinguish their firm vendee about this is through social media . " Our shopper conceive sustainability crucial and ask questions about it , " begins Arjen Kok . " We wish showing our allegiance to that . "
The solar kettle was place adjacent to the greenhouse .
Seen at fellow growersThe solar boiler will help these growers save half their lifelike gas utilization . They estimate that will perhaps be even more . " We have several sections with different climates . By running the water from the hot part back through the colder ones , we apply the heat twice . Optimal water recooling increase the organisation ’s efficiency too , " says Arjan .
He and Esmeralda Kok got the idea from two fellow growers . " We ’re protagonist with Jeroen and Marco of Mol Freesia . They ’ve been using this method acting , admittedly , on a larger scale , for three years now . They pointed out that it could also be something for us too . "
Less heatingThe mountain was , thus , struck in November 2021 . " We wanted to reduce our gas usage anyway . It turn out it was an especially good move , with flatulency Leontyne Price skyrocket . Without our solar kettle ’s heat , it would ’ve been over and done for us as a low society . That ’s no lie . We ca n’t give heat with these gas price , " Arjan admits .
instal this solar kettle cooccur with build a new greenhouse to expand their nursery refinement . This new greenhouse means the agriculturist - who also school open - field strawberries - will presently have 4,000m2 of greenhouses . " We involve the depository financial institution for funding for both the nursery and solar boiler . "
They apply for an ISDE grant . And , though their patience was tested , it was finally sanction . " We would ’ve take this step without that . But , now that the government wants us to utilize gas more economically , it ’s extra nice to have a bit of a grant to serve with methods for that , " Kok says .
Heat , even on cloudy daysThe Prins Group built the new greenhouse . The growers mostly did the interior themselves . " I just did n’t weld the heating pipe . I ’m not very right at that , " Arjan jokes . Before commission the solar kettle , the live heating system was somewhat modified . " G2 Energy specify in that and tweaked the organisation to fit our pauperism , " he explain .
Remarkably , these solar kettle make heat even on cloudy day . " I see that at Mol Freesia too . It ’s unexpected , but the kettle ’s water is still between 30 and 40 ° C . That ’s a nice temperature for the heating pipes under the gutter . Also , unlike some other grower , we do n’t have to keep several hectare at the same temperature . "
The raiser installed gutters used for tomato culture in the new nursery . They flipped them , placing the strawberry mark plant container on top .
BufferThe raiser presently only habituate a boiler to heat the nursery . " It stay on . On the one hand , to provide a little extra heating if needed , but also for CO2 , " says Arjan . They can buffer the unnecessary heat in a especially - build army tank . " It holds 80m3 , which we can practice for a few sidereal day . We may have another of these tanks installed , but we want to first test the current apparatus . We want to see , for instance , how quickly the armoured combat vehicle fills up and what influence the atmospheric condition has . "
The Modern plants will go into the new glasshouse in December . " Right now , we ’re well busy harvesting in the be glasshouse , " Arjan concludes . The growers , members of Cooperative Coforta , offer otherwise - grown strawberry of unlike varieties from March through Christmas .
For more information : Kok Aardbeien310 Zwaagdijk1682 NS , Zwaagdijk - Oost , NLEMail:[email protected]Website : www.kokaardbeien.nl
© FloralDaily.com/Thijmen Tiersma
