Andalucia’s Inspector Gadget

By Sara Wallace

MEET Edwin Spijkers, the green techie from Generador Electrico, who is now one of Europe’s top alternative energy providers.

He is, without a doubt, the true Inspector Gadget of Andalucia.

From electric scooters to solar cookers and from LED lights to wind turbines, gizmos and gadgets have replaced the sheep and goats that used to populate Dutchman Edwin Spijkers’ finca high in the hills above Ronda.

Residing in 1000 wonderful hectares with his seven-year-old son Luka and Spanish wife Sonia, Edwin is certainly one of the country’s kings of alternative energy.

Claiming to run one of the most important online green shops in Europe, his company Generador-Electrico is a gold mine for green techies.

All around his estate you will find the latest in sustainable technology. Along with various solar technology, the latest in LED lighting and electric-powered vehicles, he employs four wind turbines alone to power his two houses, workshop, well pump, and pool.

“Technically, I’m carbon negative,” he explains, standing next to his five-yearold hybrid Prius – one of the first to be bought in Andalucia.

His self-sufficient system produces more than enough energy to serve his needs, but due to local regulations he cannot sell the extra energy back to the grid because his installation involves batteries.

It is one of the banes of his existence and, as he explains, electricity provider Sevillana “will do everything in its power to find an excuse not to take your energy.”

But aside from that, Edwin is a visibly relaxed and sociable 38-year-old, who has lived in Spain since his parents emigrated here when he was nine years old.

As the only Dutch student in his primary school, Edwin quickly learned Spanish and became acquainted with the country’s culture and lifestyle.

Initially based on the coast, his family soon moved to the finca in Ronda, in order to find some space and escape from the rapid development along the Costa del Sol.

While he liked going out and playing football with this schoolfriends, he was always fascinated by technology and alternative energy sources.

“I started fooling around with the wind and sun when I was around ten years old,” he recalls. And although the family’s finca had access to grid energy, he soon persuaded his parents to invest in green technology and make the farm selfsufficient.

But the first sign that a thriving business could stem from Edwin’s natural curiosities came when he started experimenting with large second-hand generators, originally belonging to the East German army, in the early 1990s.

“I initially helped some local acquaintances find generators for their fincas, and they kept coming back asking for bigger and bigger ones. Out of this, the idea for Generador-Electrico was born.”

Edwin had soon set up a company and website, which began selling online in 2004.

Today roughly 90 per cent of his sales are within Spain and his main focus is on helping people customize their systems and supported by a team of trusted installers all over Andalucía.

“Some people don’t have enough wind or sun for typical installations, so we need to personalize it for them and do the correct calculations,” he says.

He prides himself on being at the forefront of alternative technologies and is always trying to be the first to find new products.

Aside from a recent two-week research trip to China, he has just discovered a solar barbecue from Italy. He has already ordered 25 and is visibly excited just talking about the barbecues, which use tubes to magnify the sun’s rays.

Edwin believes that people who live in Spain – and especially Andalucía – have the perfect climate to benefit from alternative energy resources.

Despite having to pay more money upfront for the technology, in the longterm they will make “huge” savings, as well as reap the environmental benefits.

“Spain is one of the best countries for this, especially here in the South,” he explains.

“And there is a lot of wind in Spain – good wind – due to its geographical location, particularly here in Malaga and Cadiz.”

The main problem, he believes, is people being overwhelmed by the technology and conflicting reports. “They don’t realize that for 10,000 to 40,000 euros they can get a very neat solar system suited to their needs,” says Edwin.

“Often it takes much less than people expect to be mostly or fully self-sufficient.”

Prices for alternative energy sources are often lower through Generador-Electrico than through other firms because Edwin imports products directly fromthe manufacturer, thus cutting out the middleman.

All of these products can be found in his massive warehouse, which was previously used for milking machines and chicken coops.

His latest mission is to try and make electric scooters fashionable in Spain. “I’ve been trying to do it for quite a while but no-one seems interested and I don’t know why,” he says sadly.

The scooters, imported from China, look just like normal bikes, but are significantly quieter on the road and better for the planet.

There are two models, a 1500-watt version costing 1100 euros and a 5000-watt version with a price tag of 2560 euros after deducting a 640-euro government grant.

The larger scooter can go between 80 and 120 km on a full battery, which takes six hours to fully charge at a cost of “around a euro”.

In addition to green transport, Edwin also focuses on products that can help people prepare food in an eco-friendly way.

Generador-Electrico sells three types of solar cookers, which are outdoor ovens that use sunlight as their energy source.

Because the solar cookers use no fuel and are free to run, many humanitarian groups have encouraged communities in developing countries to use them.

“But they are also perfect for families here in Spain,” says Edwin, who is currently selling four types the cheapest for 99 euros.

As if to confirm his own ethics, on the day of my visit his wife was cooking a flan in her own solar cooker in his back garden.

While cooking takes slightly longer, especially in the winter and on cloudy days, the extra flavor is worth it, he explains.

“And they are particularly good for stews and pot roasts. You just put everything in and forget about it, and then come back a couple hours later and it’ll be finished and ready to eat.”

As I made for the car to head home, it seemed there was one last gadget to send us on our way. Edwin proudly handed me a ten-gallon hat, equipped appropriately with a solar-powered fan to cool down my brow in the heat.

Very cool, very cool indeed…just like the rest of Edwin’s products.

Edwin’s Energy Tips

INSPECTOR Gadget Edwin Spijkers admits that the world of sustainable energy can be confusing at first. But he has some words of advice for simple ways to green up our lives.

First and foremost he suggests starting with the installation of efficient LED lights in place of existing halogen lights.

Next, he recommends we give solar cookers a go and encourage family members and friends to try them as well.

But most importantly, if you are planning on installing a solar or wind power system, make sure to carefully evaluate your energy demands.

“Get a quote for what you actually need, or, if you’re expanding, try to make the most accurate predictions possible,” he says.

He also insists that when you are purchasing a system, don’t try to cut corners; make sure you invest in thick cables that will not risk burning your hardware.