European Energy has grid connected a solar farm in Northern Jutland, Denmark.
The 21.6MW plant is located at the tip of Northern Jutland, near the town of Aalbaek in Frederikshavn Municipality.
The solar park has replaced crops that would have ultimately end up in biomass furnaces as so-called sustainable biomass.
By replacing the energy crops with solar power panels, the total output of the field has been optimised and produces more than 20 times as much renewable energy compared to earlier, according to calculations made by European Energy.
At the same time, carbon dioxide emissions are directly reduced as the solar-generated electricity can power heat pumps for central heating, compared to burning biomass for heating, which produces emissions.
European Energy said solar energy is one of the most efficient ways to use land for producing energy.
“According to our calculations solar power can deliver around 25% of the total Danish electricity need in 2030.
“This will require some 15,000 hectares of land, less than half a percent of the total arable land in Denmark,” said Knud Erik Andersen, CEO of European Energy.
The bushes and trees planted around the solar farm will remain for the total lifespan of the park, providing coverage and living spaces for various species of wildlife.
The electricity from Aalbaek solar park has already been bought in a power purchase agreement that European Energy signed earlier this year with EnergiDanmark.