Haarlemmers to harness the power of the sun with KweekZon

It was announced on 4 July that there will be 700 solar panels installed on the greenhouses of the Haarlemmer Kweektuin. Harlemmers from eligible postcode areas, who don’t have space for solar panels on their own homes, can apply to join the scheme.

Thanks to the agreement that was reached with EnergieCoöperatie KweekZon and the Municipality of Haarlem at the end of June, energy conscious city dwellers will soon be able to benefit from the new solar panels. Eligible residents – from the following postcodes 2011, 2013, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2051 or 2061 – will be able to take part in this new initiative.

Environmental sustainability

The Haarlemmer Kweektuin is located in a park in the centre (north) of Haarlem that is the site of the former urban cultivation garden (Stadskweektuin) of the Municipality of Haarlem. The garden was originally created in 1912 by Leonard Springer to provide Haarlem with greenery. Greenhouses were erected on the site of the former estate of that stood here historically, which was then still located in a rural area, and orchards and surrounding gardens were created. Now, Harlemmer Kweektuin is run as a not-for-profit organisation with a unique participation process, in which residents can direct the creation of a leading centre for ecology, climate, energy, the environment and social sustainability.

KweekZon sees the light

The new solar panel project KweekZon that was announced earlier this month has been a long time in the making. Logistical negotiations detailing the technical requirements for installing the new panels in the existing buildings at Kweektuin were only the start of it.

Major repairs had to be undertaken on the High Greenhouse and the plan is for the roof glass to be replaced by the solar panels. Now that the technical specifications are ironed out, the plan is to install a total of 700 solar panels from September.

Solar power for residents

The project team are now calling for Harlemmers from the eligible postcodes who are interested in having one – or more – solar panels to get in touch. Residents who don’t have space for solar panels on their own homes, can apply to take part. What’s in it for you? If you participate, you pay a one-time fee for this and then you can get the energy tax back from the energy you generate. You also get a part of the electricity yield supplied to the grid. If you invest in this solar energy initiative, you contribute to sustainability! To be kept updated, sign up for news from the website of Haarlemmer Kweektuin.