TNO's view of 2030: using every surface for solar power generation

Coherence of technology, affordability, and acceptance

“It’s a path we’ve been following at TNO for some time,” says Wiep Folkerts, expert in the field of innovative solar energy applications.

“We’re working on all these kinds of applications where the basic principle is to add solar cells to existing surfaces that have been built for a different purpose, without compromising their original function. Developing technologies in this context is one thing, but it never stands alone. A wonderful technical solution may be too expensive to produce or may face objections from society.”

Solar power on water

According to Wiep, the issue is always one of coherence. Floating solar farms, for example. TNO has been working on these for years – with success. But what effects do they have on life on and in the water? Can they be installed on an inland lake, on a river, offshore?

“Constructing offshore solar farms is complex, but if you can do it, you can use a lot of space, for example between the turbines of wind farms. In the Offshore Solar Platform, we work on innovation with a group of leading companies. And once again, it’s about more than technology, as we’re also investigating the ecological aspects and integration with offshore wind and hydrogen production.”

Cars that ‘fill up’ with solar

It isn’t necessary to use every surface for solar energy, but we can already do a lot more now than we anticipated a decade ago. One example is vehicles. Together with Dutch solar car manufacturer Lightyear, TNO has developed unique curved solar modules to be incorporated into the bodywork, bent over 2 axes. This enables a car to ‘fill up’ with solar energy while driving. Application to trucks and buses can also bring benefits, such as providing standby power.

Greatest gains in the built environment

The installation of standard silicon solar panels on rooftops has experienced massive growth. TNO has developed methods together with industry partners to make energy-generating building elements with thin-film PV or silicon PV.

These are aesthetically designed solutions, which can in some cases be produced in different colours, for integration into roof elements and building façades. Such technologies and applications also give new impetus to the construction industry and its suppliers.

Integrating into the landscape

Buildings, infrastructure, land, water, and transport all have their own challenges. ‘On land, just as with water, the issue is how to incorporate modules in a manner that is in harmony with the landscape and nature. We often use bifacial solar panels, which harvest solar energy on 2 sides.

This easily boosts the yield by 20%. Together with Wageningen University & Research and other partners, we’ve investigated how vertical panels can be used in the agricultural sector and how solar farms can be designed without sacrificing soil quality.’

Solar energy as a welcome bonus

TNO has successfully applied the same solution in noise barriers along roads and railways. This always involves using a surface that primarily has another function – in this case noise reduction – but can be made suitable for solar energy generation.

Wiep stresses that such energy generation should never impinge on the original function. This also applies to using roadside verges, crash barriers, or dykes. These should continue to perform their primary function fully, with solar energy as a welcome bonus.