SolarNL: Large-scale production of Dutch solar panels

Ambitious cooperation

This should result in high-efficiency circular solar panels that take into account the specific requirements of the European and Dutch markets. For instance, they should be much easier to recycle, more aesthetically appealing and also applicable on vehicles or on roofs not suitable for standard panels.

Solar industry in Europe

The aim is to build up the entire production chain in Europe. Important because the EU is heavily committed to greater energy independence by increasing competitiveness in net-zero technology. By taking concrete action now, the Netherlands can be at the forefront of the European solar industry, which will provide a crucial economic and strategic advantage on the long term.

Innovative products

The European Solar industry must distinguish itself by its innovative products: high conversion efficiency and products for large-scale integration of solar technology that do not exist today. The programme links directly to European initiatives such as RePowerEU that aim to strengthen Europe's energy autonomy.

SolarNL aims to innovate along three programme lines:

1. Innovative industrial manufacturing of state-of-the-art silicon heterojunction ‘HJT’ solar cells with an efficiency exceeding 26%. Secondly, the aim is to reduce costs and use of critical materials. Once operational, the HJT gigafactory will be replicated at other locations in the Netherlands and Europe to reach a total manufacturing capacity of 18 GWp/yr.

2. Roll-to-roll manufacturing technology for flexible perovskite-PV foils that are easy to recycle. These lightweight foils target applications where conventional silicon solar panels cannot be used because they are too heavy or not flexible. A pilot line and full-scale 1 GWp/yr production facility will be built. In the Netherlands, 1,000 km2 of solar technology must be installed by the year 2050, and that is not possible with conventional rigid glass panels. TNO is conducting research in the reliability, efficiency, costs and producing mass-customized solar products on a large scale.

3. Lightweight circular PV products that can be integrated into buildings or vehicles. These are alternative PV markets with a strong growth potential as they unlock newly accessible surfaces for installation of PV. The cells and laminates of the other programme lines will be used here for advanced integration purposes.

Finally, we will combine the results of the first two programme lines into a novel tandem PV technology, based on silicon and perovskite cells, with a very high efficiency surpassing 30%. We will also initiate the industrialization of this tandem solar panel and foil technology. At TNO, we are working on these new technologies and integration of solar panels.

SolarNL is a collaboration of Solarge, MCPV, HyET Solar, Compoform, Energyra, Lightyear Layer, IM Efficiency, Taylor, TNO, Hogeschool van Amsterdam, SolarLab and NWO-I/AMOLF Foundation.

This programme is partly made possible by funding from the National Growth Fund.