Food & Energy

8
Feb

SUNfarming Agri-Solar in Turkey

The SUNfarming Agri-Solar system is also recognised internationally for its innovative approach to dual land use.

Here is a video in Arabic with English subtitles, clearly explained in informative pictures. The combination of sheep farming, herb and vegetable cultivation together with solar energy production on the same land is a sustainable and efficient use of resources. Such integrated approaches help to optimise the use of agricultural land and produce clean energy at the same time.

5
Feb

“Continued generosity: 68,000 euros in donations for FEED in 2024

The willingness to donate to our FEED project continues in 2024 and we are delighted to have raised a further 68,000 euros. Additional donations have already been announced.

With these funds, the non-profit organisation in South Africa will be able to expand its school feeding projects in kindergartens and schools and develop regional training programmes for women in sustainable agriculture.

Edith Brasche from FEED explains: 'We have seen the positive impact we can have on the ground. Our aim is to create new jobs and income in agriculture beyond self-sufficiency. After the training courses, we enable participants to grow food and energy free of charge under the SUNfarming Food & Energy facilities. The sale of surplus vegetables and medicinal herbs helps the former trainees to set up successful small businesses in the long term. The donations take us a big step forward in providing sustainable support to the participants over three years."

"Experience our projects up close! Take a look at our videos:

1. healthy school meals - 'together we care' (3min.):

Would you or your company like to get involved in sustainable development aid in South Africa? Support our organisation Food, Education, Energy & Development e.V. and help children against malnutrition and women on their way to self-sufficiency and agricultural entrepreneurship.

You can find all information at www.feed-ev.de or contact our Vice President Edith Brasche personally."

"F.E.E.D. - Together for a better future "

Food, Education, Energy & Development e.V. (F.E.E.D.) was founded in 2020 by Peter Schrum to make a sustainable contribution as a non-profit organisation. Based in Hamburg, F.E.E.D. not only combats malnutrition, but also promotes awareness of healthy eating and imparts knowledge about ecologically sustainable agriculture. Our aim is to enable people in need to become self-sufficient, create jobs and promote the establishment of their own businesses.

26
Jan

Successful guest lecture at the SRH Berlin by the Chairman of SUNfarming

Last Friday, 19th of January, Peter Schrum, Chairman of SUNfarming, had the honour of giving a seminar at the SRH Berlin (Berlin University of Applied Sciences).

The event was aimed at 90 Master's students from the private university and their professors and teaching staff to familiarise them with the mission of SUNfarming Agri-Solar and to generate international project ideas and export orders.
This guest lecture informed the students about the potential of agrivoltaics in Germany and also looked at the modern solutions that SUNfarming offers in this area.The presentation provided a comprehensive overview of our company, and the numerous questions from students and professors were answered with pleasure.

The great interest shown by the students led to a lively discussion. We not only presented the current status of agrivoltaics, but also provided insights into the concepts we have developed and our experiences from research projects. In addition, we discussed opportunities for internships and student traineeships were discussed and suggestions for scientific collaborative projects.
SUNfarming plans to extend these successful guest lectures to other universities to attract even more students and institutions to the exciting world of agrivoltaics.

Many thanks to Professor Romero and Mr Chougule for the excellent organisation of the event. We appreciate the opportunity to work with SRH Berlin and look forward to future projects.

11
Jan

Real Agri-PV with SUNfarming Umbrellas

SUNfarming Umbrellas presented at the North German Fruit Growing Days 14 and 15 February in Estebrügge

Cherry, apple, pear under Agri-PV for yield security, securing agricultural status, additional rental income

Protecting special crops such as fruit and wine from excessive sunlight, rain, hail, frost and bird damage while generating renewable energy and attractive rental income - find out more at our stand and visit our specially developed Agri-PV systems in Estebrügge.

Arrange a personal consultation appointment at our stand now:
landwirtschaft@sunfarming.de, phone +49 3362 8859200

The North German Fruit Growing Days are a renowned platform for the exchange of expertise and innovations in fruit growing.
The exhibition area covers 7,000 square metres of outdoor space and 6,000 square metres of tent space.

21
Nov

Photovoltaics on moorland sites – SUNfarming presents pilot plant

SUNfarming presents pilot plant at Hof Hanken, Elsfleth. More than 60 interested farmers, representatives of local authorities, planners and members of various associations interested in the expansion of renewable energies on agricultural land accepted the invitation of the Grünlandzentrum Niedersachsen/ Bremen e.V. from Ovelgönne to a lecture event on the topic of PV on agricultural land in the Innovative Landwirtschaft Ostfriesland (ILO) project on 25 October.

Under the moderation of Simon Schoon, Project Manager of the Grassland Centre Lower Saxony/Bremen e.V., SUNfarming Managing Director Edith Brasche presented the SUNfarming Agri and Moor PV concepts and solutions for the sustainable agricultural use of grassland and moorland. Helmut Wahl, energy technology consultant at the Lower Saxony Chamber of Agriculture, provided information on the legal and tax framework for agri-PV compared to traditional ground-mounted PV systems. Questions relating to the realisation and approval of corresponding agri-PV and moorland PV solutions were discussed during the open discussion round. During the subsequent visit to Hof Hanken in Elsfleth, farmer Dirk Hanken reported on how well the SUNfarming moorland PV pilot system had been received by his cattle on the moorland grazing area. It is particularly noticeable that the sward under the modules is completely covered with grass.

Lena Weber and Dr Dina Hamidi from the University of Göttingen presented initial scientific findings from animal husbandry under agri-PV on peatland. In the concluding survey, many of the interested visitors stated that they would like to develop specific agri-PV or peatland PV projects on their land and enquired about lease payments and participation models for specific projects from SUNfarming Managing Director Edith Brasche and Project Manager Lower Saxony Thomas Reimers.

All interested parties are also cordially invited to SUNfarming's research and development centre in Rathenow near Berlin, Am Heidefeld 13, where the company will be presenting all types of agri- and peatland PV with crop cultivation and animal husbandry in detail. For appointment enquiries, please contact e.brasche(at)sunfarming.de.

14
Nov

State Secretary visits SUNfarming Agri-Solar Centre Rathenow

Gert Zender, State Secretary in the Ministry of Economics, Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry of Saxony-Anhalt, accompanied by Volker Rost, Head of the Agricultural and Rural Areas Department, and Chris Schulenburg, CDU Member of the State Parliament, visited the SUNfarming Agri-Solar Research and Innovation Centre in Rathenow at the invitation of Christian Knees and Peter Schrum. The government delegation was visibly impressed by the status of the finished series production of the SUNfarming Agri-Solar Din Spec systems.

The politicians were impressed by the fact that SUNfarming Agri-Solar systems, with a maximum height of just 3.6 metres, can be used for agricultural purposes with small tractors, which can be replaced by AI Agri Robotic in the future and blend in well with the landscape. They also praised the patented SUNfarming rainwater distribution system for extensive irrigation under the modules.

In addition to the tour of the plant, the following topics were addressed at the meeting:

- Solar open spaces are currently still 100% the responsibility of the Minister of Energy/Environment. Farmers and SUNfarming are calling for the Ministry of Agriculture to be given a say in authorisations for agri-solar systems.
- Another demand is that agri-solar must be eligible for authorisation in landscape conservation areas, as is already the case in other federal states, due to the agricultural production that is possible here.
- In view of the fact that set-asides (CAP 4-10% fallow land) can also be combined with agri-solar in the future, this will also lead to landscape conservation areas and sites with better soils being opened up for agri-PV in Saxony-Anhalt.
- In the opinion of SUNfarming, it is incomprehensible why land utilisation plans are still necessary for agricultural agri-solar systems. As agri-solar is still an agricultural use, it should not be treated as a purely open-space system, explains Peter Schrum, SUNfarming founder.


Village power concepts and school gardens:

To further increase acceptance significantly, SUNfarming already has regional village electricity concepts where the community receives cheaper electricity. The village electricity concept was also very well received. Just like the SUNfarming school garden, which is made available to the community in municipalities with agri-solar areas of 50 ha or more for joint use to grow vegetables, fruit or for poultry farming, for schools and kindergartens to teach healthy eating.