RVO received 501 solar applications, nearly half of the 1,130 received in 2023
Grid congestion and negative electricity prices may be behind the fall in applications
The amount requested for solar panel installations fell from over €1.3 billion in 2023 to just €319 million this year
The Dutch state-run agency, Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO), which manages the country’s Stimulation of Sustainable Energy Production and Climate Transition (SDE++), said that its subsidy scheme has not been fully utilized. Business entrepreneurs have applied for only €9.8 billion of subsidies, instead of the original €11.5 billion kitty set aside for them, RVO added. The subsidy was open from September 10 to October 10, 2024, with the RVO receiving a total of 761 applications.
The number of applications received for solar panels was nearly half, at 501, compared to 1,130 applications received in 2023 (see Netherlands’ Allocates €8 Billion Subsidy For SDE++2023).
The cause behind the drop in the number of applications could be that entrepreneurs in the Netherlands are facing significant challenges in connecting to the electricity grid, as grid congestion continues to strain capacity in certain regions. This delay in grid access has become a major hurdle for businesses looking to integrate renewable energy sources like solar power into their operations.
Adding to the complexity, negative electricity prices are also on the rise. This trend has turned investments in solar panels less attractive financially. The total amount requested for solar panel installations has also dropped sharply from over €1.3 billion in 2023 to just €319 million this year, which further highlights the growing impact of these market conditions on the sector.