The Netherlands Generates Much More Solar Power Than Canada. Here’s How They Do It

Solar power is currently the cheapest option for new electricity sources in most of the world and the Dutch are fully behind it.

The Netherlands is known for its sparse rainfall, numerous waterways and intensively used farmland, so it took some ingenuity to get this small country to the top of the continent’s solar pyramid.

One in three houses has solar panels on its roof, commercial ventures occupy space on waterways, and even old landfills find a second life as energy generators.

“I want to debunk myths,” says European solar strategist Kahya Engler, when asked about the financial burden of switching to solar. “The cost of investing in solar has come down significantly.”

She has been working to promote renewable technologies for almost two decades. Her latest venture is working with Dutch commercial roofing leader Sunrock, helping it expand its operations in Europe.

For her, the matter is simple.

“We all have access to daylight, and solar panels rely on it,” he says from Sunrock’s Amsterdam office, where even the interior design pays homage to the sun.

“We’re ready to go.”

But the key to continued growth, Engler says, is consistent government policies that encourage the use of solar energy — something that has failed in Canada and could be at risk in Europe as well.

Solar revolution

According to the International Energy Agency, investment in 70-year-old renewable technology is now greater than investment in all other energy technologies combined latest investment reportpublished this month.

While Canada lags behind in terms of sunny In many places, including Germany, China, Japan and even the United States, rapid action is being taken to implement this technology.

In fact, on some days, in some places, so much energy is produced that the price of purchasing it drops below zero, raising concerns about storage capacity due to its abundant power source.

Financial support is a global commitment triple renewable energy capacity Some analysts say this will be possible by 2030.

“Even if the transition is driven solely by economics, with no additional policy factors to help, renewables could still exceed 50 percent of electricity generation by the end of this decade,” BloombergNEF said in its 2024 New Energy Outlook report.

Over the past decade, global solar energy generation has increased He rose from the dead twelve timesbut some countries buy more than others.

One sec Germany The Netherlands has the largest solar energy production capacity in Europe. Currently, the leader on the continent in terms of solar energy use per capita is the Netherlands.

The Netherlands is embracing solar energy

Solar energy currently accounts for more than 16.6 percent electricity generation in the country, which places the figure well above Canada’s 1.1 per cent and the global average of 5.5 per cent.

“Renewable energy has of course been a big topic in Europe since 2000, but the Netherlands was a relatively slow starter,” says Engler. “It really developed very, very quickly.”

Sunrock specialises in commercial rooftop solar installations and has rapidly expanded across Europe since its founding as a small startup in 2012. The market leader now employs over 160 people and has over five million square metres of operational photovoltaic (solar panel) systems.

Project manager Bart Meij says it is an easy idea to use empty roofs, which offer building owners an untapped source of income.

“(A property owner) can rent out their roof, and we can put solar panels on it. Win-win,” Meij says. “Indoor storage, green energy on the roof. Dual use, which is better than single use.”

Each project takes several months to prepare and several weeks to install before it starts supplying energy to the grid.

“Solar energy can be developed very quickly compared to many other energy sources,” says Sara Hastings-Simon, an energy systems researcher at the University of Calgary.

This was particularly important when the war broke out in Ukraine, he says, and exposed Europe’s weakness, which is its dependence on Russian gas.

Canada lags behind in solar power generation

In Canada, where traditional energy sources have not been affected by the conflict, solar energy has not seen as much growth, accounting for just over one per cent of electricity generation.

Hastings-Simon also notes that a significant portion of Canada’s energy mix comes from hydroelectricity, which is a low-emission source.

But if you compare this to investment in fossil fuels – a demand for which, according to the International Energy Agency, will peak at the end of the decade — Investment in solar energy remains low.

Over the past decade, changing policies in Ontario and Alberta have led to an outflow of domestic and international investment, according to solar industry experts.

“There’s no denying that (renewable energy) has become more politicized here in Canada in recent times,” Hastings-Simon says.

According to the Canadian government, Alberta is expected to host three-quarters of Canada’s wind and solar energy investments by 2022, but the province has put six-month moratorium on new renewable energy projects last summer and then new ones regulations after the moratorium was lifted in February.

Critics say the rules continue to hamper economic growth.

“I think it’s fair to say that the policies that are being implemented will have an impact and slow down investment in solar,” Hastings-Simon says.

Policy change causes business instability

Engler fears that policy changes in Europe could slow down transformation there as well.

National elections and the vote on the European Union last month more populist voices were given power on the continent, questioning the future of Europe’s flagship climate policy known as the European Green Deal.

“Of course there is a risk that this progress … could slow down, which of course will have consequences for us as a company, but also for climate change,” Engler said. “It is very important that this vision continues.”

He claims that consistency and self-confidence foster ambition.

“The more positive the regulations, the faster we can make this a reality.”