Opening state-of the-art TNO Solar Lab in Petten

Thema:: Solar applications

15 September 2021

Ilse Zaal, executive member Economy of the province of Noord-Holland, conducted the opening of the new TNO Solar Lab at the Energy & Health Campus in Petten on 15 September. The province of Noord-Holland has invested 14 million euros in the construction and fitting out of the state-of-the-art laboratory. With this facility, the province is making a key contribution in Petten to facilitating groundbreaking research on new applications of solar energy.

Opening TNO Solar Lab — Opening of the solar lab in Petten by Ilse Zaal

“In the Solar Lab, we are developing new types of solar panels and applications with companies, government, and knowledge institutes, which will enable solar energy to be rolled out on a large scale in an attractive and cost-effective way. It’s extremely important for the generation of large amounts of renewable electricity as well as for further cost reduction, both necessary for the success of the energy transition.”

Ton de Jong

Managing director Energy Transition at TNO

Innovation with partners

In addition to the investment by the province, the ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy has made 5 million euros available for advanced equipment. In the Solar Lab, TNO collaborates with companies to do research on, develop and test innovations for new solar cells, panels and applications. These technological innovations enable affordable and safe solar energy generation integrated in existing surfaces of buildings, infrastructure and vehicles, but also in the countryside or on water. In addition, TNO is working with partners in the new Solar Lab on making solar energy circular.

Van den Kroonenberg BUILDING

New Van Den Kroonenburg building — From left to right: Mrs. Van den Kroonenberg, Ton de Jong (TNO), Mrs. Van den Kroonenberg, Wim Sinke (TNO), Ilse Zaal (province of Noord-Holland) and Marjan van Kampen (mayor Schagen)

The new building bears the name of the former director of the Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN), Prof. Harry van den Kroonenberg. ECN joined forces with TNO in 2018. Harry van den Kroonenberg was of great significance for the development of solar energy and collaboration between knowledge institutes and industry. More than 30 years ago, he was one of the first people to initiate the energy transition, based on the conviction: “The only renewable source is knowledge and not natural gas”. His widow attended the opening and unveiled the name.