SolarNL
SolarNL is a Dutch national solar PV research and innovation program coordinating 11+ industry partners, research institutions, and government agencies to build domestic manufacturing capacity across HJT silicon, perovskite, and integrated PV technologies, funded primarily by the National Growth Fund.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SolarNL does
SolarNL is a Dutch national research and innovation program established in 2023 to build a domestic solar photovoltaic manufacturing industry and reduce strategic dependence on foreign PV supply chains. It operates as a consortium entity coordinated by AMOLF and staffed by an 8-person program office based at Science Park 104 in Amsterdam, with a total program budget of 898.3 million euros — 312 million euros from the National Growth Fund subsidy, 586.8 million euros from private co-financing by industry partners, and 181 million euros in parallel public investments from academic partners and TNO.
The program is organized around three technology lines: high-efficiency silicon heterojunction (HJT) cells targeting a 3 GWp annual production factory, flexible perovskite solar panels produced via roll-to-roll manufacturing at planned 1 GWp capacity (using TNO's Spatial Atomic Layer Deposition technique), and integrated PV solutions for the built environment, vehicles, and infrastructure. A separate but related research thrust targets tandem solar cells with 35% conversion efficiency, surpassing the current single-junction record of 25-27%. The consortium unites 11+ industry partners (including MCPV, Solarge, Lightyear, Solarix, Energyra, Kalpana, and SparkNano), research institutions (TNO, AMOLF, SolarLab), four universities of applied sciences, and government agencies (RVO, NWO, Invest-NL, regional development agencies).
SolarNL does not commercialize its own products; instead, it functions as a public-private coordination and funding mechanism that channels research, development, and pilot manufacturing support to its consortium partners. Revenue is sourced exclusively from public grants and consortium partner co-financing rather than product sales. Additional public funding of 49 million euros was approved in July 2026 for Phase 2, focused on industrializing roll-to-roll perovskite production, supplementing the initial 135 million euro grant awarded in 2023.
SolarNL firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SolarNL
- Legal name
- SolarNL
- Website
- https://solarnl.eu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- SolarNL is a Dutch national solar PV research and innovation program coordinating 11+ industry partners, research institutions, and government agencies to build domestic manufacturing capacity across HJT silicon, perovskite, and integrated PV technologies, funded primarily by the National Growth Fund.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SolarNL industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Solar Energy Research and Innovation
- NAICS
- Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Next-Gen Photovoltaics R&D (Perovskite, Tandem, Organic, BIPV Materials) (EUAMAOAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Solar PV Module Manufacturing (Cells, Modules, Thin-Film) (EUAMABAD), Solar PV Module & Cell Manufacturing (Crystalline, Thin-Film) (EUAMAHAA), Solar Plant Components Supply & Manufacturing (Modules, Cells, Wafers, Mirrors, Heliostats) (EUACAGAK)
Keywords
Where SolarNL is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Amsterdam
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
SolarNL business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- National Growth Fund Subsidy: Primary government funding from the National Growth Fund (Nationaal Groeifonds). The total program budget is 898.3 million euro, with 312.0 million euro (35%) from the National Growth Fund subsidy.
- Private Financing: 586.8 million euro covered by private financing from industry consortium partners.
- Parallel Public Investments: Academic partners and TNO have acquired parallel public investments totaling 181 million euro.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
SolarNL product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SolarNL is a Dutch national solar PV research, innovation, and industry program that coordinates a consortium of industry partners, research institutions, and government agencies to develop next-generation photovoltaic technologies. The program focuses on three technology lines: high-efficiency silicon heterojunction (HJT) cells, flexible perovskite solar technology via roll-to-roll production, and integrated solar PV solutions for built environments, vehicles, and infrastructure. It operates funded by the National Growth Fund with a total budget of 898.3 million euros to establish a Dutch solar PV manufacturing industry and expand national solar capacity from 18 GWp to 100-250 GWp by 2050.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Silicon Heterojunction (HJT) Cell Technology Program National program line focused on developing high-efficiency silicon heterojunction cells with plans for a 3 GWp annual production capacity factory. Targets greater conversion efficiency than standard PERC cells. Led by industry partners in the SolarNL consortium for deployment of next-generation PV manufacturing in the Netherlands.
- Flexible Perovskite Solar Technology Program National program line focused on developing flexible, lightweight solar PV technology based on perovskite materials, produced via roll-to-roll process comparable to newspaper printing. Targets 1 GWp per year perovskite film facility capacity with carbon footprint below 10 grams per kilowatt-hour. Involves industry partners TNO, LiFT PV, Perovion Technologies, Kalpana, SparkNano, and Taylor.
- Integrated Solar PV Solutions Program National program line focused on developing integrated solar PV solutions for built environments, vehicles, and infrastructure. Includes tandem solar cell development targeting 35% conversion efficiency. Involves industry partners including Lightyear, Kameleon Solar, Energyra, and IM Efficiency.
- SolarLab PhD Research Program National network of Dutch research groups at universities and institutes working on solar photovoltaics, offering 41 PhD positions across the country. Capitalizes on extensive Dutch knowledge to develop next-generation solar cells and panels as part of the broader SolarNL program.
- Human Capital Agenda and Living Labs Program Workforce development program partnering with four universities of applied sciences (Amsterdam, Zuyd, Hanze, Saxion) to provide education modules, regional expertise, and practical hands-on experience through Living Labs. Addresses skills gaps and integrates education, research, and practice in the solar energy sector.
Quantifiable outcome
- Expected additional added value of 500-700 million euro/year in 2031 and cumulatively 20-25 billion euro in 2050
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use SolarNL
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
SolarNL technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
SolarNL partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- SolarLabcoreSolarLab is the national network of Dutch research groups at universities and institutes working on Solar Photovoltaics. It is a key component of the SolarNL program, capitalizing on extensive Dutch knowledge to develop next-generation solar cells and panels.
- TNO (Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast wetenschappelijk onderzoek)coreDutch organization for applied scientific research with Energy & Materials Transition unit including Solar Energy and Solar Technologies & Applications groups. Located in advanced solar PV innovation labs in Petten and Eindhoven. Has more than 3,000 employees and annual turnover of more than 500 million euros.
- MCPVcoreIndustry partner in the SolarNL consortium focused on building an independent European energy sector. CEO Marc Rechter featured in BNR news radio podcast discussing European energy independence.
- SolargecoreDutch solar company developing lightweight perovskite solar panels in unique polymer construction. Has factory in Weert, Limburg. CTO Gerard de Leede serves on SolarNL Executive Board.
- Perovion TechnologiescoreIndustry partner participating in roll-to-roll production line project for flexible perovskite solar cells as part of SolarNL Phase 2.
- LiFT PVcoreIndustry partner collaborating with TNO on roll-to-roll production technology for perovskite solar cells. Part of Phase 2 project team.
- LightyearcoreDutch solar technology company developing integrated solar solutions. Hosted first Solar Meets event. Part of Program Line 3 for integrated PV solutions.
- SolarixcoreDutch solar company in SolarNL consortium. Featured in news coverage and Financieel Dagblad article on Dutch solar industry revival.
- EnergyracoreDutch startup/scale-up in the SolarNL consortium focused on integrated PV solutions and scaling to GW level.
- TaylorcoreDutch solar company (Taylor.solar) in SolarNL consortium. Part of Phase 2 roll-to-roll project and integrated PV solutions program.
- IM EfficiencycoreDutch solar company (imefficiency.com) in SolarNL consortium focused on innovative PV solutions.
- KalpanacoreDutch solar technology company (kalpana-systems.com) in SolarNL consortium. Part of Phase 2 roll-to-roll perovskite project.
- SparkNanocoreDutch nano-technology company (spark-nano.com) in SolarNL consortium. Part of Phase 2 roll-to-roll production project.
- Kameleon SolarcoreDutch solar company (kameleonsolar.com) in SolarNL consortium focused on innovative integrated PV solutions.
- AMOLF (Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics)coreNWO-I research institute that played central role in fostering collaboration and innovation within SolarNL. Served as program's coordinating hub, shaping research agendas, facilitating partnerships, and managing program office.
- RVO (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland)coreDutch government agency organizing open calls and involved in circular PV roadmap development.
- TKI Urban EnergymajorInnovation program co-hosting parallel session with SolarNL at EU PVSEC 2026 focused on scaling solar innovations from research to market deployment.
- Amsterdam University of Applied SciencesmajorOne of four universities of applied sciences in Human Capital Agenda, contributing regional expertise to Living Labs and education modules.
- Zuyd University of Applied SciencesmajorOne of four universities of applied sciences in Human Capital Agenda, contributing regional expertise to Living Labs.
- Hanze University of Applied Sciences GroningenmajorOne of four universities of applied sciences in Human Capital Agenda, contributing regional expertise to Living Labs.
- Saxion University of Applied SciencesmajorOne of four universities of applied sciences in Human Capital Agenda, contributing regional expertise to Living Labs.
- Holland SolarmajorDutch solar industry association involved in developing the circular PV roadmap and strategic autonomy within circularity initiatives.
- BOM (Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij)majorRegional development agency that signed letter-of-intent with TNO and Japanese partner Sekisui for perovskite solar panel production collaboration.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights12 records
SolarNL competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Oxford PV: UK-headquartered perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cell pioneer, now commercializing through a factory in Germany. Direct technical overlap with SolarNL's Program Line 1 (HJT) and tandem cell targets, and the leading private competitor for European perovskite tandem commercialization.
- Saule Technologies: Polish perovskite solar cell startup developing inkjet-printed flexible perovskite PV. Compares to SolarNL's roll-to-roll perovskite R&D line and integrated PV applications, both targeting BIPV and flexible solar segments.
- imec: Belgium-headquartered semiconductor and PV R&D organization with major perovskite and tandem solar cell programs (e.g., PerFund partnership). Functions as a comparable European non-profit research hub driving next-gen PV from lab to fab.
- Solliance Solar Research: European thin-film and perovskite PV R&D consortium spanning Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. Closest analog to SolarNL — a multi-partner public-private R&D collaboration focused on next-gen PV with similar consortium, government co-financing, and perovskite/tandem research focus.
- CEA INES: French national solar research institute (Institut National de l'Énergie Solaire) running national perovskite and tandem R&D programs with French government backing. Mirror institution to SolarNL's AMOLF/TNO-led Dutch effort.
- CSEM: Swiss research and technology organization with active perovskite PV and tandem cell programs. Similar non-profit applied research model, focused on next-gen PV and serving as a technology transfer hub for European PV startups.
- Fraunhofer ISE: Germany's leading applied solar energy research institute. Conducts perovskite, tandem, HJT, and integrated PV research at scale with German government and industry co-funding — analogous role to TNO/AMOLF within SolarNL.
Emerging players
- Caelux: US-based perovskite tandem cell developer acquired by First Solar, focused on perovskite-silicon tandem technology. Direct technical overlap with SolarNL's tandem cell program and a likely technology competitor in the European market.
Broad incumbents
- Hanwha Qcells: One of the world's largest solar manufacturers with HJT, perovskite tandem R&D, and gigawatt-scale production. Represents the commercial incumbent that SolarNL's Dutch ecosystem must compete against for European PV market share.
Others
- MCPV: Dutch MCPV is an industry partner within the SolarNL consortium focused on building an independent European PV value chain. Listed as a peer because it is a directly comparable Netherlands-anchored PV startup commercializing SolarNL-developed technology.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SolarNL social profiles
Digital presenceSolarNL financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SolarNL leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
SolarNL funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SolarNL M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SolarNL
What does SolarNL do?
SolarNL is a Dutch national solar PV research, innovation, and industry program that coordinates a consortium of industry partners, research institutions, and government agencies to develop next-generation photovoltaic technologies. The program focuses on three technology lines: high-efficiency silicon heterojunction (HJT) cells, flexible perovskite solar technology via roll-to-roll production, and integrated solar PV solutions for built environments, vehicles, and infrastructure. It operates funded by the National Growth Fund with a total budget of 898.3 million euros to establish a Dutch solar PV manufacturing industry and expand national solar capacity from 18 GWp to 100-250 GWp by 2050.
Is SolarNL a public or private company?
SolarNL is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was SolarNL founded?
SolarNL was founded in 2023. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is SolarNL based?
SolarNL is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does SolarNL make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. National Growth Fund Subsidy is the primary driver. The others are private Financing and parallel Public Investments.
Who are SolarNL's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Oxford PV, Saule Technologies, imec, Solliance Solar Research, CEA INES, CSEM and Fraunhofer ISE. Caelux is listed as an emerging player. Hanwha Qcells is listed as a broad incumbent. MCPV is listed as an others.
Does SolarNL have an API?
No public API is recorded for SolarNL.
What industry is SolarNL in?
SolarNL's product category is Solar Energy Research and Innovation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMAOAA, Next-Gen Photovoltaics R&D (Perovskite, Tandem, Organic, BIPV Materials), with a secondary code of EUAMABAD, Solar PV Module Manufacturing (Cells, Modules, Thin-Film). Its NAICS code is 5417 and its SIC code is 8731.