{"id":1942,"date":"2026-08-06T09:03:27","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T07:03:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ikwilcirculairinkopen.nl\/en\/?p=1942"},"modified":"2026-08-06T09:03:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T07:03:27","slug":"circular-solar-panels-two-years-later-there-is-no-excuse-not-to-do-it-anymore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ikwilcirculairinkopen.nl\/en\/circular-solar-panels-two-years-later-there-is-no-excuse-not-to-do-it-anymore\/","title":{"rendered":"Circular solar panels, two years later: ‘There is no excuse not to do it anymore’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Two years ago, we wrote about the first steps towards circular procurement of solar panels. Back then, there was still a lot in development. Now, there are concrete tools, a subsidy, and dozens of tenders with sustainability requirements. We spoke with Robin Sinke, project leader for circular solar power systems at PIANOo, and Lukas Sloet from the Municipality of Amsterdam, who leads the sustainable solar panel subsidy and the Zonbank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes a solar panel sustainable or circular?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

“There are two aspects. The first is reuse: giving a used solar panel a second life before it is recycled. The second concerns purchasing new solar panels more sustainably. That is my main focus,” says Robin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A new solar panel is more sustainable if it scores better on a few points. The CO2 footprint is one of them. That is the amount of CO2 released during production, relative to the panel’s capacity. The lower, the better. Such a panel is called a low-carbon panel. Additionally, you want the panel to be free of harmful substances like PFAS, antimony, and lead. You also look at working conditions in the supply chain, as the risk of forced labour in this sector is high.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is a subsidy needed and what does it achieve?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

“The most sustainable solar panels are still more expensive than standard panels from Asia. That price difference holds back many buyers. That\u2019s why we started a subsidy in Amsterdam<\/a> that tries to bridge the gap as much as possible. In this way, we make the sustainable choice feasible for households, social institutions, and businesses,” says Lukas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“From August 16, 2024, to December 31, 2025, we have awarded 64 subsidies. This has resulted in the installation of 3,514 sustainable solar panels in Amsterdam. The savings amount to 660,000 kilos of CO2-equivalent compared to standard panels. That is equal to the average annual emissions of 35 Dutch households.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most of these projects, the solar panels contained no PFAS, antimony, or lead. And the risk of forced labour was often lower. Thus, with one subsidy, you achieve several goals at once.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What tools can buyers use now?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

“We have published the Sustainable Solar Panel Guide on duurzamezonnepanelen.org,” Robin explains. This is an overview of manufacturers and their panel series, linked to concrete criteria such as CO2 footprint, toxic substances, and lifespan. The first version was online for feedback in early March. We published the new version in early May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The guide helps in two ways. In advance, you see how far the market has developed. Suppose you want solar panels with a CO2 footprint of no more than 500 grams of CO2-equivalent per kilowatt peak. The table then shows more than 20 manufacturers that meet this requirement. So, there are enough market options. If you set stricter requirements, such as also being PFAS-free and having a cradle-to-cradle certificate, fewer manufacturers remain. But you decide that for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During a tender, the guide helps you quickly check whether a bidder meets your requirements. As a buyer, you remain responsible for the assessment, but the tool saves a lot work doing research. These criteria will also be included in the MVI criteria tool after the summer, so that every public buyer can use them as a starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What has changed in terms of circularity?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

“Two years ago, we could only mainly focus on sustainability. There was little to measure on real circularity. That is changing now,” says Robin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end of last year, a European study on the recyclability of solar panels was published, the CINEA study. The AMS Institute translated concrete circularity criteria from it. There are two measurable criteria in it. The first is recycled content: how much recycled material is in a new panel? The more, the better. The second is high-value recyclable content: what part of the valuable raw materials can you recover at the end of the panel\u2019s life?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, there is a design guideline: design for circularity. This is not a measurable KPI, but a principle: design a panel so that it can be easily disassembled. Recycled content is already being implemented. The other two will only have an effect in 20 or 30 years, when the solar panels reach the end of their lifespan.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does the future look like?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

“We are developing a temporary floating solar park of 2 megawatt-peak at Buiteneiland in IJburg. That island will be reclaimed over the next 15 years. During that period, the solar park will generate electricity for the electric construction machines. We are doing it fully circular, with reused building soil from Amsterdam and sustainability requirements for all suppliers. We rarely build on this scale, so this is the opportunity to apply it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Furthermore, a solar system is more than just solar panels,” says Lukas. “Think of inverters and mounting systems, and soon home batteries and heat pumps. When I present the guide, colleagues immediately ask if we can make something similar for batteries. That\u2019s the direction we want to go.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What message do you have for buyers?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

“Start with low-carbon solar panels that are PFAS-free. That often costs nothing extra. If you have more budget, take it a step further and choose the most circular panels. Are you from Amsterdam or Rotterdam? Then apply for a subsidy,” says Lukas. “And use the Sustainable Solar Panel Guide as a starting point.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robin says, “Just go ahead and do it. You can include sustainability criteria in your procurement. It\u2019s not standard everywhere yet, but it is absolutely possible. There are good examples and enough market. Some solar panels are slightly more expensive in the short term, but do not focus solely on price. Sustainability is what matters in the long run. There is no excuse not to do it anymore.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Two years ago, we wrote about the first steps towards circular procurement of solar panels. Back then, there was still a lot in development. Now, there are concrete tools, a subsidy, and dozens of tenders with sustainability requirements. 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