Solar park Lievelde
The Netherlands
Sunvest has developed Solar Park Lievelde in the municipality of Oost-Gelre.
Impact
Renewable energy
The capacity of Solar Park Lievelde is 11.4 MWp. It produces approximately 10,500 MWh per year, which is enough to power over 3,000 households.
Sustainable farming
This 8.3 ha (hectare) plot is owned by two farmers who live adjacent to the plot. Their herds of sheep graze the plot’s herb-rich grassland. After 25 years this plot will be ready for sustainable farming.
Biodiversity
A total of 10% of the 8.3 hectare agricultural plot is dedicated to nature development And features bushes and herb rich grassland. It’s an important step towards realising nature friendly agriculture.
Local community
Over fifty local citizens invested in the park through a crowdfunding initiative organised by the Duurzaam Lievelde cooperative. Participants receive annual interest funded by the Solar Park’s revenues.
Local participation
Sunvest has developed the Solar Park Lievelde in the municipality of Oost-Gelre. The project was created in partnership with the local landowners, who are two pig farmers. The solar park was designed to be in harmony with the environment and to encourage local involvement. The project site spans a total area of approximately 8 hectares. The solar park generates enough power to meet the energy needs of all the households in Lievelde.
What the owners say
Landowner and farmer Vincent Hulshof:
“Everyone’s a winner, everyone benefits – our businesses, the climate, nature and our local community. Even if we aren’t financially self-sufficient from pig farming itself yet self-sufficient if we combine it with solar power generation, then even as a farmer I will fully commit to this method, with complete peace of mind.”
