Amsterdam gives subsidy to customers who install SunPower panels
The municipality of Amsterdam wants to encourage people to choose the most ethically and environmentally friendly solar panels with the highest rates of efficiency when purchasing solar systems. Only the best panels are subsidized, such as (unsurprisingly) our SunPower solar panels from Maxeon.At Zonnefabriek we've been telling people for some time that SunPower solar panels are really something special, but that's of course partly because we sell them ourselves. Fortunately, the municipality of Amsterdam now appears to agree with us: a new municipal regulation for 'special solar panels' explicitly names SunPower solar panels as one of the best on the market, which means that people who have these panels installed can apply for a subsidy.
One hundred euros per kiloWatt-peak
The regulation is called 'Subsidy Sustainable Amsterdam energy for special solar panels' (Subsidie Duurzame Amsterdamse energie bijzondere zonnepanelen) and applies to new installations from 1 July 2024. People who have solar panels installed from that date can apply for a subsidy from the municipality if their solar panels meet certain conditions.
The highest subsidy is €100 per kiloWatt-peak (kWp) of panel capacity and applies to two categories: lightweight solar panels of up to 6 kg per m2 (Zonnefabriek does not have these panels in our range), and highly efficient, sustainably produced and forced-labour-free solar panels. In this last category, three brands are named explicitly, and one of them is the SunPower brand from Maxeon Solar.
SunPower panels on a flat roof
The new subsidy is welcome news! Even though those of you who do not live in Amsterdam and/or had your SunPower solar panels installed before July 1st are not eligible for the subsidy, it is still nice to know that your solar panels meet the strictest standards.
No lead, no PFAS and no forced labor
The conditions for the subsidy are that the panels have a CO2 footprint of less than 500 kg per panel, that they do not contain lead or PFAS, and that the risk that forced labor has been involved in the production chain is low. In addition, the panels must be high-efficiency products with an efficiency of more than 20% (i.e. that at least 20% of the incident sunlight is converted into electricity). There aren't many solar panels on the market that meet all these criteria, but fortunately our SunPower MAX3 panels do! (N.B.: the so-called 'Performance' panels from SunPower such as the P6 and P7 are not covered by the new scheme)
Make sure to apply on time!
In order to qualify for the subsidy, you must complete an application form on the website of the city of Amsterdam. You will need your DigiD and copies of the quotation or invoice. In principle, you have until 31 December 2025 to submit an application, but please note: there is a total of €700,000 in the subsidy pot and this money will be paid out on a first-come, first-served basis. That's why it's best not to wait too long with your application!
Of course, this subsidy only leads to a relatively modest reduction in your investment, but perhaps you can use that money to add something extra to your solar power system: something like a Sunny Home Manager, for example (just a suggestion)? Good luck to those who are going to apply, and let's hope that non-Amsterdammers will also continue to opt for efficient, sustainable solar panels from Zonnefabriek.
