Berry farm achieves energy self-sufficiency with solar and wood gasification system

A berry farm in Sukeva, eastern Finland, achieved energy self-sufficiency using a hybrid renewable energy system: a 30 kW solar PV installation and an 110 kW wood gasification unit for combined heat and power from wood chips. The system supports seasonal demands—solar power supplies electricity for berry freezing in spring and summer, while the gasification unit activates in late summer for peak production needs, providing heat for freezing, drying, and space heating. Excess electricity (approx. 60 MWh/year) is fed into the grid. The farm produces strawberries, raspberries, forest berries, and dried apple chips. The system maintains fuel moisture below 10% through heat recycling. The solution demonstrates sustainable rural energy integration in agriculture.