30
Aug

SUNfarming wants to go high

Germany's highest solar greenhouse on the Estrel Berlin solemnly inaugurated.

(Erkner/Berlin, 30 August 2018) On the sun terrace of the Estrel in Berlin, the largest hotel in Europe, SUNfarming has built its solar greenhouse at a height of 50 m. The greenhouse, which is covered by a 4 m wide light dome, has a size of approx. 42, 5m ² (5m x 8, 5m). The rooftops east and west of the light dome are equipped with SUNfarming modules, the generated solar power is used directly by the hotel.
The plant is used by SUNfarming GmbH as a model of larger SF Food & Energy plants and SF Urban Farming in Germany in order to present project partners, politicians and financial partners, including ambassadors from African States, SF Food & Energy in a practical manner. Under the partial shading of the greenhouse, a micro-climate with low evaporation is formed; This favours the growth of different types of vegetables as hydroponics. Irrigation is carried out by means of a water-saving drip irrigation. This makes it possible to cultivate plants at otherwise barren sites – such as house roofs or in resource-poor areas (crisis regions, developing countries).
Kitchen director Peter Griebel harvests fresh and regional organic vegetables and herbs for his restaurant kitchens. At present, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, blueberries, chilies, bavarian figs and medicinal herbs are mainly harvested here.

On August 29th the project was inaugurated during the course of a rooftop party. Numerous guests from politics and business had followed the joint invitation of SUNfarming and Estrel and had the opportunity to visit the solar greenhouse, accompanied by specialized experts who were happy to answer all the questions.

In his opening speech, hotel director Thomas Brückner highlights the great interest of the Estrel hotel in healthy organic food products and its own spice production in cooperation with SUNfarming.
In his address, Peter Schrum,the main shareholder and founder of the SUNfarming Group, emphasizes the wide range of possible applications and possibilities for development policy: "The advantages for citizens and municipalities are endless. SUNfarming Urban Farming Plus contributes to the regional supply of cities. This project offers a wide participation of the municipalities with long-term ownership, sustainable food and energy production and job security with a strong training component also for schools and research institutions ".
Internationally, the SUNfarming multi-purpose light domes can make an important development policy contribution to the elimination of escape causes. With these projects, we not only save resources, but also create knowledge resources for the future through educational offerings", concludes Peter Schrum.
More informations can be found here

(on the photo f.l.t.r.: Ambassador of Kasachstan Mr. Bolat Nussupov, Peter Schrum SUNfarming, Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda Mr. Marcel Tibaleka, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa Mr. Stone Sizani)

Article in pv-magazine (german)

12
Oct

Tomatoes from the hotel roof

On the sun terrace of the Estrel in Berlin, the largest hotel in Europe, SUNfarming has built its agro-solar greenhouse

The greenhouse, covered with a 4 m wide light dome, has a size of 42.5m² (5m x 8.5m). The roof tops, east and west of the light dome, are equipped with SUNfarming modules, the generated solar electricity is used directly by the hotel.
The "SF Urban Farming Concept", developed by SUNfarming, produces sustainable solar energy and regional food - on the same place. In addition to the solar power, vegetables, fruits, flowers or fish can be gained between the modules of new or already built PV free-field plants or in special agro-solar Food & Energy greenhouses.
Here, from one of the highest points of the Estrel, Peter Griebel, the kitchen director, not only enjoys a magnificent view over Berlin, but here he is now harvesting herbs, cauliflower, chili, chard and physalis, to mention only a few. Regionally and sustainably produced finesse and highlights for the hotel kitchen.
Learn more about the SUNfarming Urban Farming Concept: