Going to double when it's time for replacement screens at Maatschap Janssen

NOVEMBER 2024

At the pepper greenhouse run by 22-year-old Gijs Janssen in Nootdorp, an important change has recently been made. Together with his parents, Gijs decided to replace the existing climate screen and add a second one — both supplied by Svensson. The installation took place in January and February of this year and marks a significant step for the pepper grower in reducing energy use.

The second screen, installed earlier this year, is the Luxous 1147 FR climate screen, which provides 89% light transmission and offers up to 47% energy savings. Gijs explains that the main motivation for choosing a two-screen setup is energy conservation, something many growers now consider essential. “Looking ahead, it’s important to take measures that save energy,” he says.

Switch to Svensson

Until now, Gijs had used climate screens from another supplier, but this time he made a deliberate choice to switch to Svensson. The deciding factors were the screen quality, its excellent light transmission, and its energy-saving characteristics. “I think Svensson is a market leader in this field,” says Gijs. “Svensson advisor Hugo Plaisier gave us solid, in-depth advice — a good story that convinced us to move forward.”

Early Results and Expectations

Although the screens were only installed in January and February, Gijs is already pleased with the first results. “From March onwards, we were able to use them properly. In summer, we can also use the system to shade out some of the intense light — that’s an advantage we didn’t have before,” he explains.

He expects to see the true savings only after a full growing year. “It depends a bit on the gas price and your heat consumption, but I’m optimistic about the energy savings,” he adds.

The choice for a combination of two Luxous 1147 FR screens is not unusual in pepper cultivation. Many fellow pepper growers use the same setup. A standard configuration with two high-transmission screens has proven effective for saving energy without sacrificing light levels, which is crucial for the growth and productivity of pepper plants.

Guidance from Hugo Plaisier

Svensson advisor Hugo Plaisier supported Gijs and his parents throughout the transition to the new screens. “Hugo explained how to operate the two screens in the best way. It was new to us, but in practice it’s quite straightforward,” says Gijs. “We’ve set the primary screen, and the second screen closes automatically when there is a higher energy demand.”

Ready for the future

Gijs runs the business together with his parents, who are gradually taking a step back as he assumes more responsibility. “I’m 22 years old and I’m excited to further develop the company in the coming years,” he says. With the installation of two Luxous 1147 FR climate screens from Svensson, Gijs has taken an important step toward a more sustainable and energy-efficient pepper crop.