Solar Cables for Agrivoltaics
The use of agricultural buildings and open fields for agrivoltaics, or AgriPV, is currently quite popular. Big Dutchman realises this as well. For some time now, the global specialist for livestock housing and feed systems has been installing solar modules for their customers and combining these with custom battery storage systems to achieve greater efficiency. In the harsh conditions of agriculture, HELUKABEL cables and wires ensure that the systems continue to function reliably.
As the global population grows, so too does the need for food. Current prognoses suggest that by 2050, the number of people on earth will increase by 20 percent to roughly 10 billion. Feeding everyone is becoming an ever-greater challenge for society on a global scale. This is especially relevant for the agriculture industry, which is responsible for producing the majority of food and feed that we need.
It is for this reason that the industry is constantly looking for solutions to increase their efficiency and productivity. To achieve this, having the right technology is essential. This just so happens to be the specialty of Big Dutchman AG, which is a globally leading manufacturer of feed systems and modern livestock housing systems. Founded in 1938 in the USA, the company's headquarters is currently located in the Lower Saxon village of Vechta-Calveslage, Germany. Big Dutchman employs more than 3,100 employees globally across over 30 locations.
Portfolio Expanded
Under the product name of SunFarm, Big Dutchman installs photovoltaic systems onto livestock housing and in open fields for their customers.
The first product that Big Dutchman put on the market was an automatic feeding system for poultry. Over the years, they have developed additional solutions for housing layer hens and poultry, and for pig farming. New business areas such as insect breeding and greenhouse construction are also being developed by Big Dutchman. They have additionally been exploring the production and use of renewable energy in agriculture for some time now. After all, the use of agricultural spaces and buildings for photovoltaics, also known as AgriPV, has become an important trend in the transition to renewable energy.
"The large, open areas of agricultural operations are ideal for producing solar energy," explains Nils Neugebauer, Product Manager for Photovoltaics & Batteries at Big Dutchman. "With our SunFarm and SunBox systems, we offer our customers solutions for not only producing, but also for storing energy. The combination of the two allows customers to meet a significant portion of their own energy needs and minimise energy costs."
Battery Storage – Increased Flexibility
Under the product name of SunFarm, Big Dutchman installs photovoltaic systems onto livestock housing and in open fields for their customers. For this, they use high-quality products that are especially well suited for the harsh environments of the agriculture industry. The systems are made even more cost effective through the use of a SunBox, which is a stationary battery storage container solution. Using this, farmers can store and utilise the produced electricity as needed, even when the sun isn't shining. This saves them money and increases their independence from the public energy grid.
One major advantage of the SunBox system is how flexible it is. The battery storages are modular and can be installed in parallel. This allows users to reach storage capacities from a few kilowatt hours up to 20 megawatt hours. An intelligent management system controls and monitors the charging and discharging of the individual modules and ensures an optimal utilisation rate. "With our app, the user also has all of the important data available on their phone anytime they need it, such as the charge level and energy flow," adds Neugebauer.
The cables are a crucial component of PV and energy storage systems. The solar modules are connected not only to one another, but also to the power inverter, which is responsible for making the produced electricity usable. Even the battery storages require different cables to transmit energy, signals, and data. For this, Big Dutchman has been relying on the competence and expertise of HELUKABEL for some time now. "Our collaboration goes back to 2008," remembers Neugebauer. "We already use HELUKABEL electrical connection technology in other parts of our product portfolio. For us, it was obvious to do the same with our PV range."
Cables that Defy Wind and Weather
The use of agricultural buildings and open fields for agrivoltaics is a significant part of the energy transition.
The operating conditions faced by AgriPV systems are challenging. The systems are subjected to weather conditions year-round, such as moisture, temperature fluctuations, and of course UV radiation. They are also subjected to dust and grime and the constant risk of damage from rodents. The cables and wires must be resilient against all of these external factors in order to ensure the system operates reliably for a long time. "We use exclusively high-quality components from reputable manufacturers for our systems," assures Neugebauer. "For us, HELUKABEL ranks among the best."
At Big Dutchman, we use solar cables from the SOLARFLEX series, among others. These cables, which were specifically developed for use in photovoltaic systems, are halogen free, flame retardant, and resistant to UV radiation, ozone, weathering, and water. This makes them ideally suited for outdoor use. "SOLARFLEX is also approved according to the European standard EN 50618," says David von der Gathen, the responsible Regional Sales Manager at HELUKABEL. "This ensures that it reliably fulfils all requirements during use." In order to prevent bite damage from martens, mice, and other gnawing rodents, SOLARFLEX cables are also available with a special protective braiding made of stainless steel.
Big Dutchman uses NAYY-O and NAYY-J series energy distribution cables to connect battery storage units and photovoltaic systems to the grid. These distribution cables are approved according to DIN VDE 0276-603 and are designed to handle voltages up to 1,000 volts and are equally suited for installations underground, in water, in the open, and in buildings. The conductors are made of aluminium, and a robust, PVC outer sheath provides the required protection. HELUKABEL also supplies the systems manufacturer with different control, data, and bus cables.
On Site, on Time
For Nils Neugebauer, choosing the specialists for connection technology came down to superior flexibility. "We get the cables we need in the lengths we need delivered by HELUKABEL on time and directly to the construction site. One call is all it takes!" Moreover, both companies have a global presence and are familiar with the intricacies of the different markets and regions. "For example, we also offer products with international approvals such as UL, which are suitable for use in the USA," explains von der Gathen. For export-oriented machine and systems manufacturers such as Big Dutchman, this makes for a significant advantage.
Neugebauer believes that AgriPV will become an increasingly important subject in the coming years, and not just for Big Dutchman. "With HELUKABEL, we have a longterm and reliable partner at our side who can supply us and our projects with the complete package of electrical connection technology, all from a single source," he commends. "I look forward to continuing this successful partnership in the future, and to helping shape the transition to renewable energies in agriculture together."
About Big Dutchman
Big Dutchman has been designing and constructing feeding and penning systems for modern poultry and pig farming. Their portfolio additionally includes software, climate control and lighting systems, as well as air cleaning and waste recycling solutions. The international market leader is also currently active in the areas of insect protein production and greenhouse construction.
Learn more at bigdutchman.com
