
Great potential of solar panel energy generated on dikes
In cooperation with
Consortium 'Zon op dijken'
Our country has some 17,000 kilometres of flood defences, mainly dikes. Of these, some 1,600 are, in principle, suitable for installing solar panels. But how would that affect the safety of the dike? Would they fit into the landscape? Would the energy yield outweigh any possible drawbacks? TNO is working with partners to find the answers to these questions.
This is taking place in the three-year ‘Solar panel dikes’ ('Zon op dijken') project in a consortium with Stichting Toegepast Onderzoek Waterbeheer (STOWA), Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Deltares, Arcadis and a number of other companies. There are now two pilot locations, an inner dike near Ritthem in Zeeland and the Knardijk near Zeewolde in Flevoland, where various types of solar power systems are being tested on dikes.

Three gigawatts possible
Solar power systems represent one of the many applications of solar energy on land that TNO is investigating. Others are the incorporation of PV modules in facades, roofs, road surfaces, bicycle paths, noise barriers and even in the bodywork of cars. Dikes could eventually be good for an installed capacity of at least three gigawatts (GW). By way of comparison, a total of about eight GW of solar energy is currently installed in the Netherlands.
Different types and conditions
In the pilots, researchers from TNO, WUR and Deltares are investigating the effects of installing solar panels on a dike. TNO, which is coordinating the project, is mainly concerned with measuring the yield of different types of systems in different weather conditions. Various companies have developed dike specific systems. WUR and Deltares are focusing mainly on safety. The question is how the dike will hold up when covered with solar panels, how the turf will react to less light or a different incidence of light and whether this will affect safety. For the water boards, as dike managers, the study is also important in order to be able to properly assess applications for permits to install solar panels.
Landscape value
Dikes have been constructed to protect land and residents from the water, but they also have an ecological and landscape value that must be preserved. In addition to energy yield and safety, this aspect is explicitly included in the project. It is important for the participating companies to experience how their panels and systems perform, whether and to what extent the systems and the dike deteriorate, and whether they can make a sound business case.
Large-scale application
The ‘Solar panel dikes' project should ultimately result in the large-scale application of solar power systems on these flood defences, thus contributing to the energy transition. The results of the study will provide dike managers with important information to include the installation of panels alongside the maintenance and reinforcement of their dikes such that renewable energy production and dike safety go hand in hand.
The 'Solar panel dikes' project is financially supported by a subsidy from the Energy Top Sector of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate.
Get inspired
Creative ivy-shaped solar panel system against façade High Tech Campus Eindhoven
Will we soon be able to turn our homes and business premises into one big solar panel? This is getting closer thanks to a special collaboration between TNO, Inbo Architects, Van der Leegte Werkt, Flexipol, and High Tech Campus Eindhoven.


Paved dykes are promising for solar panel application
A study of the possibilities for adding solar panels to dykes shows that solar panels placed on a paved dyke surface are the most suitable and can be applied without much additional research.


Europe explores potential of solar powered vehicles
An international public-private consortium will address how solar-powered vehicles can support the transition to an all-electric transport system in the EU.


Favourable business case for solar heat in homes
Solar heat can make an important contribution to increasing the sustainability of our heat supply. Photovoltaic-thermic (PVT) systems on the roof can, in combination with a heat pump, supply homes with heat and hot water. This would make natural gas redundant, thereby decreasing carbon emissions. There are plenty of options, but what about the cost-benefit analysis?


Solar energy
The Solar energy expertise group develops technology for solar panels, including bifacial solar modules and silicon solar cell technology.