Research results: energy | solar panels and storage
- Commissie Duurzaam
- Feb 3
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 4
Installation of solar panels (PV panels)
Due to the deed of division (a.k.a. "splitsingsakte"), most of the roof is "reserved" for residents of the 10th floor. As a result, only a limited portion of the roof can be used for collective solar panels.
Installing enough panels to supply all apartments with electricity is therefore not feasible. Moreover, for a large homeowners' association like ours, the wiring to all the individual meter boxes is too complex and expensive. And with the abolition of the net metering scheme, the return on such an investment is also insufficient.
With regard to the possible number of solar panels on the available part of the roof, the studies show notable differences :
In addition, both the HU student teams, as well as Steeds Advies, limited themselves to placing panels above the collective space of the bend , so only connecting to the meter in the bend.
The possibility and effectiveness of solar panels above the collective space in the head has not been investigated.
The use of solar panels for collective electricity consumption
It might be interesting to install solar panels to power communal facilities. These could be placed on the roof sections above the stairwells at the top and bottom of the building.
This energy demand is distributed in the common areas over:
the elevators;
lighting in common areas;
and energy required for heating systems and ventilation.
The ideal would be to install enough panels to meet as much of the power needs of the collective facilities as possible.
The problem is however
that on sunny days, more energy may be supplied by the PV panels than is consumed by the elevators, lights and heating systems at certain times;
while more power is needed for lighting and elevators in the evenings and at night.
It is important that this is prevented. Solutions to this problem would be
keep the energy supply from the PV panels so low that it never exceeds the minimum energy consumption;
the use of a battery so that energy can be stored in it.
New developments: sodium-ion batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are still the most common type. But sodium-ion batteries are now a promising alternative:
cheaper;
safer;
and more resistant to temperature differences.
Sodium-ion batteries stand out as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative thanks to the raw material they use (common salt), the absence of harmful or toxic components and easy recycling.
Conclusion
Installing solar panels remains a viable option for the shared building segment of the apartment building. However, because the research results in the three reports differ, and developments in areas such as sodium-ion batteries are not considered, further research is desirable and necessary.
Costs, subsidy and National Heat Fund
Costs
Further advice is still needed regarding the number of panels and the desired battery capacity. Afterward, the costs and payback period can be estimated.
Subsidy
In combination with other sustainability measures, subsidies for installing solar panels are available through the SVVE;
There are indirect and fiscal benefits for shared energy storage such as batteries through
EIA (Energy Investment Deduction): Tax benefit of up to 40% on investments in batteries on the Energy List, ideal for homeowners' associations (VvE) solar energy storage. Both sodium and lithium-ion batteries are eligible.
SDE++: For large-scale projects involving storage and sustainable generation (solar panels), a subsidy is provided for produced/stored energy. Suitable for shared facilities in apartments, but subsidy eligibility depends on the specific scale and cost structure. This will need to be further investigated in due course.
Borrowing
the remaining costs are eligible for a loan from the National Heat Fund.
Read all about saving vs. borrowing and subsidies here.
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