Three solar challenges

Three solar challenges

At first Meet the Energy Leader meeting since corona, no seat remained empty in the Co Creation Centre at The Green Village. Emeritus Professor Prof Wim Sinke (UvA) looked back at the more than exponential growth of solar energy. But Sinke also pointed out the downsides of that growth:

• Solar energy must become not only renewable but also sustainable. Solar panels should be better designed for reuse so that different materials are easier to separate.
• Until now, solar panels have mostly been an add-on. That should change to make PV (photovoltaic) an integrated part of buildings, solar meadows and parking roofs. Semi-permeable, flexible and printable solar panels offer plenty of opportunities.
• Europe has any PV production facilities. An industrial alliance has been set up to initiate up European PV production. Such an industry will probably be more expensive, but badly needed to reduce dependence on China.

Meet the Energy Leader meetings are an activity of the Delft Energy Club and the Delft Energy Initiative.