FAQ

A-brand manufacturers in the "Solar Industry" are referred to as "Tier 1" companies. To meet Tier 1 status, companies must meet the following characteristics:

1. Are publicly traded in the US ( New York or Nasdaq);
2. Are fully certified by independent internationally recognized certification company;
3. The products have a minimum warranty period of:
   • warranty for construction defects of at least 5 years;
   • yield guarantee of at least 90% or more for 10 years;
   • yield guarantee of at least 80% or more for 25 years.
4. Have a proven "track-record" in the solar industry;
5. Are an internationally recognized brand (Internationally recognized brands);
6. Have an international presence (sales representation / depots);
7. Have a strong long-term technical vision;
8. Financially sound & recognized by major international banks as "bankable".

A PV system is an installation consisting of solar panels, inverters, cabling, etc. PV stands for photovoltaic (also called photovoltaic). A photovoltaic system converts solar energy into electricity. Therefore, another name for PV installation is also called solar power system, solar installation or solar panel installation.

A conversion factor is used to convert WP yield to kWh yield. A factor of 0.9 (south-facing roof without shade) is frequently used in the market. A solar panel of 290 Wp produces about 260 kWh per year. Per^m2 yields about 158 kWh per year.

The power of a solar panel is expressed in Watt peak (Wp). The peak power of solar panels ranges from 350 Wp - 400 Wp per year. Solar panels are now available with an average peak output of 500 Wp per year.

How many kWh per Wp depends on the number of hours of sunshine. In the Netherlands, you have to multiply the amount of Watt peak by 0.85 to find out the number of kWh a panel generates. Standard solar panels have a capacity of around 370Wp. So an average solar panel generates about 315kWh per year.

The power of a solar panel is expressed in terms of the "Watt peak power" of the panel. Because the amount of sunlight is constantly changing, the production of electricity with a solar panel is not even, which is why the maximum power (Watt peak) of the solar panel is indicated. The maximum power of a solar panel is determined in a test environment.

When calculating the actual yield, a number of factors are taken into account. Such as location of the roof, possible shade, etc.

Annually, the power output of a solar panel decreases. This is a very normal phenomenon. Tier 1 manufacturers issue a minimum power guarantee of 90% after 10 years and a minimum power guarantee of 80% after 25 years.

A solar panel emits direct current (DC). This current is converted to alternating current (AC) by an inverter.

Only part of the sunlight is blocked by the clouds. So when the sun is not shining, the solar panels also generate energy. Admittedly a little less than on a sunny day. Solar panels can generate a very small amount of electricity even at night due to "moonlight."

The SDE+ subsidy annually reimburses the difference in cost price between gray energy and renewable energy over a period of 15 years. The amount of the subsidy depends on the amount of renewable energy produced annually.

Photovoltaic solar panels (Solar PV) with a capacity of 15 kWp or more and a large consumer connection are eligible for the SDE+ subsidy. A large consumer connection is a connection of more than 3*80A to the electricity grid.

The maximum term of the SDE+ subsidy is 15 years. However, any SDE+ subsidy not "used up" can still be used in year 16.

The maximum compensation per kWh depends on the amount per kWh of the allocated base amount and the correction amount set by the government. Suppose the base amount granted is 11 euro cents (Phase 2, March 2018) per kWh and the (provisional) correction amount is set at 6.3 euro cents for non-grid supply and at 3.8 euro cents for grid supply.

Then the maximum subsidy amount is per kWh for non-grid supply:

• The base charge per kWh is €0.11 ( 11 euro cents)
• The established correction amount per kWh is €0.063 ( 6.3 euro cents)
• The maximum subsidy amount per kWh will then be €0.047 ( 4.7 euro cents)

The maximum subsidy amount per kWh for grid supply is:

• The base charge per kWh is €0.11 ( 11 euro cents)
• The established correction amount per kWh is €0.038 ( 3.8 euro cents)
• The maximum subsidy amount per kWh is then €0.072 ( 7.2 euro cents)

The cost price for renewable energy production is set in the base amount for the respective technology (e.g. Solar PV). The base amount is set per category per SDE+ round by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. This basic amount then applies for the entire subsidy period.

The yield for the production of (gray) energy is set in the correction amount. The determination of the correction amount is based on average energy prices per category, as they actually occurred during the production year. These energy prices are calculated annually by the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN). This is done on the basis of the average prices on, for example, the APX energy exchange.

The base energy price is the lower limit for the correction amount. If the correction amount is equal to the base energy price, the maximum subsidy has been reached. The Ministry of Economic Affairs sets the base energy price per SDE+ round based on calculations by the Energy Research Center of the Netherlands. The base energy price then applies for the entire subsidy period.

Greenhouse gases play a major role in global warming. The use of solar panels significantly reduces CO2 emissions.

Example: A PV installation with 100 solar panels leads to a CO2 emission reduction of about 13,676 kg/p.yr.

(100 solar panels of 290 Wp produce about 29,000 Wp/p.yr. This means an output of about 26,000 kWh/p.yr => 1,000 kWh/p.yr of solar power equals about 526 kg/p.yr. CO2 emission reduction).

An average Dutch family consumes about 4,000 kWh of electricity (gray electricity) per year in the home. This corresponds to CO2 emissions of about 2,104 kg/p.yr.

Trees are great for offsetting CO2 emissions. An average tree can absorb (offset) about 20 kg of CO2 emissions in a year in its biomass. Trees absorb CO2 from the air and convert it into oxygen.

An average Dutch family consumes about 4,000 kWh of electricity (gray electricity) in the home per year. This corresponds to CO2 emissions of about 2,104 kg/p.yr. To reduce the CO2 emissions from these 4,000 kWh. (gray electricity), over 105 trees are needed. Trees are great for offsetting CO2 emissions. An average tree can absorb (offset) about 20 kg of CO2 emissions in its biomass in a year. Trees absorb CO2 from the air and convert it into oxygen.

An average gasoline passenger car driving 15,000 kilometers per year has CO2 emissions of about 3,360 kg per year.

An average diesel passenger car driving 15,000 kilometers per year has CO2 emissions of about 3,195 kg per year.