A circular and fair solar panel industry
The Netherlands is on the forefront of the solar energy transition. Yet almost all of our solar panels are currently produced in Asia. When the panels are broken, they are thrown away immediately. Perine Fleury, co-founder of Biosphere Solar, is convinced we can do better. For over two years now, they have been testing their circular and fair solar panels at The Green Village.
Biosphere Solar developed a modular solar panel. Because the different parts are not glued together, like a traditional panel, it can be completely disassembled. The cells are held together by special cell-bed, which replaces the conventional EVA lamination with a modular design. At the end of the panel’s lifespan, the components are ready for a second life. Exactly what the industry needs, according to Perine: “We are heading towards a massive junkyard with the solar industry.”
Testing at The Green Village
Together with the two other founders, Perine made the first five panels by hand. With these first panels, they tested two elements at The Green Village: biodiversity and whether the solar panels can produce output. Perine: “Our panels are made of glass on both sides, which makes it easier for light to pass through and to separate it at the end of its lifespan. We tested how greenery thrives underneath so that set-ups can contribute to biodiversity and agricultural applications. We discovered very positive results, with greenery growing in abundance. We also wanted to test whether the panels could produce output outside of the lab. We knew that our design worked inside, but how it performs outside in different weather conditions was still unknown. The Green Village proved to be the ideal place to test that. Without this location, we would not have had the space to gain those lessons learnt.”
From idea to implementation
Biosphere Solar’s test was made possible in part by the Maarten de Groot Fund. This fund supports research that promotes sustainability in the built environment. Perine talks about this special start of their company: “There was a lot of enthusiasm about our project, also from the fund. They thought it was a great idea because repair and circularity are barely considered in the solar panel industry. The thought process there is completely different. For instance, you never know if something that is recyclable will actually be recycled. The idea was good, but the reality was that we had just started as a young start-up and still had a lot to learn. Gradually we adapted the design and we learnt a lot about regulations, engineering and project management.”
Especially project management did not go as smooth as expected. Perine: “It takes up much more time than we initially anticipated. Even an installation of just five panels takes a lot of time if you are not an expert. The system is more than just a solar panel. You need to think of the underlying construction, the inverter, the cables and make sure that they are dug in the right place. We had to think about all that, while it was the first time we experimented with it. One lesson learnt is that we should allocate the things we are not specialised in. Let an installer do the installation, instead of trying to do it ourselves. They know what they are doing, because it is their job.”
Biosphere Solar’s future
Perine sees two possibilities for the future of their company: “One option is to set up a small production line. We can execute projects for companies that need customised panels. At the same time, we continue to research different ways to bring circularity to the market. And how parts that are recycled actually get back on the market, because that link is missing in the chain right now.”
“In addition, we have started helping other companies customise or design their panels through consultancy. In the coming months, we will see how that goes. The goal is to bring circularity to the solar industry. We can do it ourselves, or help others get there. It is ultimately about that mission.”
To that end, Biosphere Solar is already making great progress. Perine: “We are now working together with larger companies, such as Soltech and Kameleon Solar. We are setting up a new production line together. We also have pilot projects in Amsterdam and The Hague, where we are installing solar panels. This would not have been possible if we had not tested at The Green Village. It has given us so much credibility and visibility, it really opened a lot of doors.”
Support from The Green Village
Perine says the support they received at The Green Village has also been important for the young entrepreneurs: “As a start-up, you are constantly telling yourself that you are working on the right thing. But there is always that part of you that is afraid that you are kidding yourself. When someone outside your organisation supports your project and gives you confidence, that can really make all the difference. At The Green Village, we got that support, in addition to a physical place to test and help with financial applications. That was very valuable.”
Will this be the last we have seen of Biosphere Solar at The Green Village? Perine does not think so: “We are now looking at a new trial setup, with a new panel design. These panels will be placed on top of the Office Lab. Especially for our visibility, it is very interesting for us to continue testing at The Green Village”.
Want to know more about Biosphere Solar? Take a look at our project page and their website.
Images solar panels: InnovationQuarter
