The earth's population is increasing and the demand for organic foodstuffs is growing in the city centers as well. Therefore, the area for agricultural use decreases. In order to be able to produce enough food regardless, new cultivation methods such as aquaponics come into focus. Self-contained aquaponic systems could also be supplied with solar / photovoltaic systems, according to the management of the German iKratos company.
Aquaponic hydroponics
These systems work by using excrements from fish farming as nutrients for plants. This usually happens automatically, via systems of pumps. The necessary nutrient input for plant breeding is thus provided by the fish food.
Freshwater fish such as trout carps, but often also cichlids of the genera Tilapia or Oreochromis are used as they are particularly fast-growing and not too demanding edible fish. In an aquaculture, fish and useful plants are connected in a hydroponic nutrient cycle. What the fish excrete is processed by bacteria and serves as fertilizer for plants. The plants in turn purify the water for the fish. The result: no fertilizer is needed and only one tenth of the water is needed compared to regular means of production.
Aquaponic with solar and photovoltaics
The circuit can be set up as an open space or greenhouse together with solar and photovoltaic systems. Pumps, UV filters and lighting can be sustainably and environmentally friendly through the use of modern solar technology, and can be supported and operated independently.
The aquaponic-solar greenhouse allows the simultaneous production of vegetables, fish and solar power. Low heating energy requirements and H-LED technology can guarantee production of high quality food all year round.
There is a positive use of energy generated by the sun. This leads to a very low or even negative CO2 footprint (CO2 sink) for the food produced.
There are aquaponic solar greenhouses for use on medium latitudes, suitable for Central Europe. The plants can be grown both in high as well as in very low outside temperatures, without much expenditure of additional energy.
Source: iKratos / GabotFor more information:
iKratos Solar- und Energietechnik GmbH
GF: Willi Harhammer
Bahnhofstraße 1 (direkt an der B2)
91367 Weißenohe
Phone: 09192-99280-0
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.ikratos.de