Total installed solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity in Netherlands is approximately 23.904 GW.⁵

The Netherlands’ projected total solar panel production capacity is expected to reach 55 GW by the year 2035. Longer-term projections estimate that the Netherlands’ PV capacity could reach 180 GW by 2050.⁶

• The cost of generating electricity from fossil gas: 0.116 $/kWh⁷
• Wind power: generation cost 0.08 $/kWh plus transmission costs of 0.015 $/kWh⁸
• Solar power: generation cost 0.29 $/kWh⁹

• Natural Gas: 40%
• Wind Power: 18%
• Solar Power: 15%
• Coal: 14%
• Biomass: 7%
• Other (nuclear, petroleum products and hydropower): 6%

The Netherlands aims to increase the share of renewable energy to 70% by 2030, focusing on expanding solar and wind capacity as part of its energy transition strategy.¹⁰

The Netherlands currently has near-24-hour electricity availability with only 4 hours of shortages per year. However, by 2032, Dutch grid operator TenneT predicts energy shortages will increase, leading to about 14 hours of outages annually by 2033.⁴¹¹

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In 2022, the residential rooftop sector was the largest market segment in the Netherlands, with a share of 46 % (approx. 1.8 GW) of the total market.

As of 2023, there were 2,581,279 residential installations in Netherlands. Approximately one in three Dutch homes have solar panels.

The Netherlands has approximately 665 solar parks, predominantly established on former agricultural land, covering a combined area of 3,621 hectares. Additionally, 4% of these solar parks are situated on water or in areas that were once submerged.¹⁴¹⁵

The Netherlands does not have a significant off-grid solar market demand, as the country has a well-developed electricity grid infrastructure that provides reliable power to nearly all households and businesses. However, there are a few niche applications where off-grid solar may be used:⁶¹⁶

• Recreational vehicles (RVs) and boats – to charge batteries and power onboard electronics when not connected to shore power.
• Remote and agricultural locations – to power remote monitoring stations, telecommunications equipment, or other applications in areas without access to the main electricity grid.

The Netherlands currently leads in solar power per capita, surpassing 1,000 watts per inhabitant in 2022, a significant increase from 815 W/capita in 2021.⁶¹³¹⁷

In 2023, the country installed 4.82 GW of new solar capacity, with residential installations reaching a record 2.55 GW and commercial and industrial sectors adding 2.25 GW.

Despite this strong performance, the annual installed capacity is expected to decline to 3.9 GW in 2024.

Looking ahead, the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research envisions a potential 180 GW of solar PV capacity by 2050.Top of Form

• The average monthly salary in Denmark is approximately $3,436.¹⁸
• Solar Engineer: the average monthly salary is approximately $4,877.¹⁹
• Solar Energy System Installer: the average monthly salary is approximately $5,195.²⁰
• Solar Photovoltaic Installer: the average monthly salary is approximately $3,170.²¹

The current population of Netherlands is 18,251,773.²²

Estimate for Factory Rent

The average rent prices for industrial and logistics properties in the Netherlands range approximately 55-83 $/m2.per year, depending on the specific location and conditions.²³

Industrial Electricity Rates

As of 2022, the average electricity price for non-household consumers (business users) in the Netherlands was approximately 17.62 $/kWh for an annual consumption of 500 to 2,000 megawatt-hours. This price does not include VAT or other taxes and levies.²⁴

Water Costs

The average water tariff for business users is approximately 2.42 $/m3 including a usage tax.²⁵

Salaries and Wages

Worker of solar industry in Netherlands earn between $3,170 and $5,195 monthly, depending on the position.¹⁹²⁰²¹

Rent for Office Space

The average rent for office space is approximately 244 $/m2 as of 2020. The average office space cost in Amsterdam is between $386 and $883 per desk/month.²⁶²⁷

Insurance

The average spending per capita in the non-life insurance market in the Netherlands is around $1,053 per year.²⁸

The energy infrastructure in the Netherlands solar energy is undergoing a significant transformation as the country aims for a sustainable and carbon-neutral future.¹⁰²⁹³⁰

Energy Mix

The share of renewable energy in total electricity production rose to 40% in 2022, marking a significant increase from previous years:

• The Netherlands is a leader in offshore wind energy, targeting a capacity of 21.5 GW by 2030.
• It also has one of the highest densities of solar panels globally.
• The country is pioneering in green hydrogen production, with plans to invest $551.72 million to stimulate a $1.38 billion hydrogen industry.

The Netherlands has a well-established natural gas infrastructure, including hydrogen-retrofitted pipelines. However, the government is moving towards reducing reliance on natural gas, especially following geopolitical pressures.

Infrastructure and Interconnections

The Netherlands has a well-developed energy infrastructure, including:

• Electricity Grid: Managed by a transmission system operator (TSO) and several distribution system operators (DSOs), ensuring reliable electricity supply across the country.
• Natural Gas and LNG Terminals: The country is a key transit hub for natural gas, with extensive pipelines and two major liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals.
• Cross-Border Interconnections: The Netherlands has significant electrical interconnections with neighboring countries, facilitating energy trade and enhancing grid stability.

The Dutch ports play a crucial role in global energy trade, particularly in oil refining and marine bunkering fuels.

Policy Goal

The Dutch government has set ambitious policy goals to guide the energy transition:

• Climate Agreement: Aims for a 55% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
• Investment in Renewable Energy: Significant funding is allocated for renewable energy projects, including wind, solar, and hydrogen technologies.
• Sustainable Energy Transition Incentive Scheme (SDE++): This scheme supports various renewable energy projects through competitive auctions, promoting the development of low-carbon technologies.
• The government is also investing in smart grid technologies and battery storage to enhance the flexibility and efficiency of the energy system, ensuring a reliable supply as the share of variable renewable energy increases.

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Net Metering Regulation

The net metering regulation allows households and businesses with solar panels to deduct the electricity they produce and feed back into the grid from their total consumption. This regulation is being gradually phased out, with changes starting in 2023 and full elimination expected by 2031.

Subsidies and Tax Incentives

The Dutch government provides various subsidies and tax incentives for solar panel installation, including the possibility of VAT exemption for solar panels installed in homes.

Quality Standards and Compliance

Solar panels and their installations must comply with strict quality standards to ensure safety and efficiency. These standards are aligned with European regulations, ensuring that products meet specific performance and safety criteria.

Research and Development Initiatives

The Dutch government supports research and innovation in solar technology, aiming to reduce production costs and increase efficiency. This includes initiatives to integrate solar energy into urban environments and improve sustainability.

Investment in Circular Solar Panels

The Dutch government announced an investment of up to $454.6 million in the SolarNL project under its National Growth Fund. This initiative focuses on establishing a solar module manufacturing industry in the Netherlands, emphasizing circularity and sustainable supply chains. The project aims to develop three solar technologies, including silicon heterojunction cells and flexible perovskite foils.³²

Investment Subsidy for Manufacturing Industry (IMKE)

The Dutch government has proposed the ‘Investeringssubsidie maakindustrie klimaatneutrale economie’ (IMKE) scheme, which aims to boost the production of clean energy technologies by subsidizing capital expenditures for manufacturing facilities. Under this scheme, solar projects focusing on heterojunction, perovskite-silicon tandem modules, and building- or vehicle-integrated PV panels could receive a maximum allocation of $77.24 million per project.³³

Sustainable Energy Transition Subsidy Scheme (SDE++)

The SDE++ is a subsidy program that supports the production of renewable energy, including solar power. It operates through a competitive bidding process, with the government providing a subsidy for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of renewable energy produced over a 12–15-year period.³⁴

Battery Storage Subsidies

The Dutch government has allocated $110 million in subsidies for the deployment of battery storage alongside PV projects. The scheme is scheduled to open on January 1, 2025, and end in 2034. It aims to support the deployment of 160 MW to 330 MW of battery storage.³⁵

Research and Development Support

The Dutch government encourages research and innovation in solar technology through partnerships with universities and research institutes. Initiatives like Solliance Solar Research focus on converting promising technologies into practical applications, enhancing production processes, and improving the sustainability of solar panels.³⁶

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Current Projects

Sunport Delfzijl (30 MW): One of the largest solar parks in Europe, Sunport Delfzijl spans 30 hectares and consists of over 170,000 solar panels. The park has a capacity of 30 MW, making it a significant contributor to the Netherlands’ renewable energy grid.

Scaldia Solar Park (51 MW): Scaldia Solar Park is one of the largest solar projects in Zeeland. It covers 38 hectares and features approximately 140,000 solar panels, generating 51 MW of power.

Bomhofsplas Floating Solar Park (27 MW): This floating solar project, located on a former sand extraction site, is one of the largest in Europe. The Bomhofsplas Floating Solar Park consists of over 73,000 solar panels, covers 18 hectares of water surface and has a capacity of 27 MW.

Haringvliet Solar Park (38 MW): This solar plant is part of hybrid energy park Haringvliet, an unique combination of solar energy with wind energy and batteries. Located on the shores of the Haringvliet estuary, it spans approximately 30 hectares. It consists of over 115,000 solar panels and has a capacity of 38 MW.

Dorhout Mees Solar PV Park

• Capacity: 148.90 MW
• Location: Flevoland
• Commissioned: 2022
• Owner: Novar Nederland

Vloeivelden Hollandia Solar Project

• Capacity: 116 MW
• Location: Drenthe
• Commissioned: 2021
• Owner: Novar Nederland

Vlagtwedde Solar PV Park

• Capacity: 110 MW
• Location: Groningen
• Commissioned: 2020
• Owner: Encavis

Midden-Groningen Solar PV Park

• Capacity: 103 MW
• Location: Groningen
• Commissioned: 2019
• Owner: Blue Elephant Energy

Blue Elephant Stadskanaal Solar PV Park

• Capacity: 101.34 MW
• Location: Groningen
• Commissioned: 2020
• Owner: Blue Elephant Energy

Projected Projects

Offshore Solar Farm in the North Sea: The floating solar pilot project, launched in the Dutch North Sea, is a pioneering initiative designed to test and develop floating solar technology in a marine environment. This innovative project involves deploying a floating solar array off the coast of the Netherlands to evaluate its performance and viability in the challenging conditions of the North Sea. The pilot aims to assess the technology’s efficiency, durability, and impact on the marine ecosystem, potentially setting the stage for larger-scale floating solar farms in the future.

SolarNL Project: The Dutch government has invested up to €412 million in the SolarNL project under its National Growth Fund. This initiative aims to establish a solar module manufacturing industry in the Netherlands, focusing on circularity and sustainable supply chains. The project will develop three solar technologies: silicon heterojunction cells, flexible perovskite foils, and solar PV products for buildings and vehicles.

Borgercompagnie Solar PV Park:

• Planned capacity: 150 MW
• Location: Groningen
• Expected to enter commercial operation: 2026
• Owner: PowerField

Blue Elephant Chint Solar PV Park:

• Planned capacity: 120 MW
• Location: Groningen
• Expected to enter commercial operation: 2026
• Owner: Blue Elephant Energy

Eekerpolder Solar PV Park:

• Planned capacity: 120 MW
• Location: Groningen
• Expected to enter commercial operation: 2026
• Owner: Novar Nederland; Eekerpolder Cooperative

Vlagtwedde II Solar PV Park:

• Planned capacity: 110 MW
• Location: Groningen
• Expected to enter commercial operation: 2026
• Owner: PowerField

Fledderbosch Solar PV Park:

• Planned capacity: 103.5 MW
• Location: Groningen
• Expected to enter commercial operation: 2024
• Owner: CEE Group

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Gigawatt Global

• Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Website: gigawattglobal.com
• Details: Gigawatt Global is a multinational renewable energy company focused on developing solar projects in emerging markets. They are involved in various large-scale solar installations, contributing to energy access and sustainability.

Novar Solar Solutions

• Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Website: www.novar.nl
• Details: Novar Solar Solutions is an innovative player in the Dutch solar energy sector, specializing in the development and implementation of advanced solar technologies, focusing on large-scale solar parks and projects.

GroenLeven

• Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Website: groenleven.nl
• Details: GroenLeven is one of the largest solar developers in the Netherlands, specializing in the development of solar parks. They have a significant portfolio of projects and are actively involved in expanding solar capacity across the country.

Eneco Group

• Headquarters: Rotterdam, Netherlands
• Website:eneco.com
• Details: Eneco is a major energy company that invests heavily in renewable energy, including solar power. They operate various solar farms across the Netherlands and are committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2035.

Powerfield

• Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands
• Website: powerfield.nl
• Details: Powerfield B.V. is a prominent Dutch solar energy company dedicated to developing and managing large-scale solar power projects. Powerfield invests in and operates major solar parks, helping to advance the Netherlands’ renewable energy targets.

Solarus Sunpower B.V.

• Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands
• Website: solarus.com
• Details: Solarus develops solar thermal and PV hybrid systems, combining solar heating and electricity generation. Their innovative products aim to enhance energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings.

SolarDuck

• Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands
• Website:solarduck.tech
• Details: SolarDuck specializes in floating solar technology, developing innovative solutions for offshore and inland water bodies. Their projects aim to harness solar energy while minimizing land use.

Lightyear

• Headquarters: Helmond, Netherlands
• Website:lightyear.one
• Details: Lightyear is a solar electric vehicle manufacturer developing ultra-energy-efficient cars powered by solar energy. Their flagship model, the Lightyear 0, integrates solar panels to extend driving range and reduce reliance on charging stations.

Nova Lumos

• Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Website: lumos-global.com
• Details: Nova Lumos specializes in solar energy solutions, focusing on off-grid solar systems for households in emerging markets. Lumos Global’s main contribution is making solar energy accessible and affordable for underserved households and small businesses in West Africa.