Hamburg, June 12 – Hamburg is embarking on an innovative pilot project to address its limited suitable areas for solar power generation. The Hamburg Senate plans to utilize greenhouses in the city’s southwest to economically produce electricity from solar energy, as announced by Environmental Senator Katharina Fegebank (Greens) on Friday morning, despite the absence of sunshine.
Pioneering Project at Curslack Cut Flower Farm
The project, which will run for the next four years, is being conducted at the Curslack cut flower farm, Knobi Blumen. Researchers will investigate how solar panels can be efficiently integrated into greenhouses. “We are starting a true pioneering project, where we want to observe in a real-world laboratory whether the plants develop as they should,” stated Fegebank.
Sustainable and Economic Heat Regulation as a Goal
Protected cultivation requires precise heat regulation, which the project aims to make both economical and ecological. The ideal outcome is to reduce operating costs while simultaneously protecting the climate. The photovoltaic systems will not only generate green electricity but also provide significantly more shade within the greenhouses. This shading could also help horticultural businesses save cooling energy during the peak summer months.
Hamburg Invests Two Million Euros
The primary objective of this pilot project is to determine by 2029 whether this method can sustainably reduce energy consumption in horticulture. The project is being managed by the Fraunhofer Institute, in collaboration with Geisenheim University, the University of Hohenheim, and the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg). The City of Hamburg is investing approximately two million Euros into this initiative.
Project Details and Expected Outcomes
- Project Duration: Four years, concluding in 2029.
- Location: Curslack cut flower farm, Knobi Blumen, Hamburg.
- Key Partners: Fraunhofer Institute, Geisenheim University, University of Hohenheim, HAW Hamburg.
- Investment: Approximately 2 million Euros from the City of Hamburg.
- Expected Benefits: Reduced energy consumption in horticulture, lower operating costs, increased green energy production, and climate protection.
This project represents a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions in urban environments, particularly in regions with limited space for traditional solar farms. The findings from this pilot could pave the way for wider adoption of agri-photovoltaics, combining agricultural production with renewable energy generation.
Source: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/hamburg-startet-pilotprojekt-mit-pv-anlagen-in-gewaechshaeusern,agri-photovoltaik-108.html
