Care and Petting Farm De Bijlmerweide in Amsterdam Southeast has been a familiar sight on Provincialeweg for 40 years. It’s a place where animals, nature, education, and care come together. Recently, a striking and sustainable addition was made to the roof: 34 solar panels — a gift to celebrate the city’s anniversary.
The farm organizes countless activities every year for children, schools, and local residents. Admission is free, and there is plenty to see, do, and learn about animals, nature, and sustainability. In recent years, De Bijlmerweide has also become a care farm, where people with a distance to the labor market can work as assistant farmers. With around 35,000 visitors a year, it is a place of significance for many Amsterdammers.
The solar panels are installed on the roof of the barn and aviary, blending in nicely with the orange roof tiles. Together, they generate almost half of the farm’s annual energy consumption.
The farm is owned by the Municipality of Amsterdam. The solar panels were donated by ING and Kroonenberg Groep, as part of an anniversary gift to Amsterdam consisting of a total of 5,500 solar panels. These are being distributed across dozens of community buildings in the city. The donors deliberately chose institutions like De Bijlmerweide – places that are open to everyone and play an important role in the community. Thanks to this sustainable gift, not only is solar energy being generated, but the message is also reinforced: the benefits of a sustainable city are meant for all Amsterdammers.
