Solarge, a forward-thinking firm based in the Netherlands that develops and manufactures lightweight and low-carbon footprint solar panels, seeks investments and partnerships to drive its plans for expansion overseas, including the United States. Extending its impact on international markets aligns with Solarge’s mission of promoting a widespread sustainable energy transition.
Since its foundation in 2018, the solar energy innovator has been known for providing sustainable, circular solar panels. It has a reputation for bringing lightweight solar panels to the market that don’t contain antimony and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), otherwise known as “forever chemicals.” Adding to its appeal is its ability to be made from recycled plastic.
Solarge has redefined the industry by continuously innovating in the field of solar panel construction and application. In fact, it has utilized fiber-reinforced polymers and materials developed by Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), a global leader in chemicals, to create building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solutions, custom-made solar roods, and floating solar farms.
Jan Vesseur, co-founder and CEO, states that Solarge is currently in the process of preparing for Series B funding. The funds gathered would be allocated for the production capacity growth of the company’s Dutch factory to 250 MW. Solarge also invites like-minded partners and investors to help it expand to a 1 GW facility in the Netherlands and America.
It’s significant to note that Solarge raised €3 million earlier this year, thanks to the Phase2.earth and Orchard Participations impact funds. Existing investors, such as Daan van der Vorm and Sytse Bouwer, also significantly contributed. “We’ll use the funds to augment our production facility in Weert. Doing so would help us ensure that we competitively produce solar panels within the Netherlands and EU [European Union],” Vesseur remarks.
In other related important news, Solarge joined hands with SABIC and ENGIE, a Belgian market leader known for sales in electricity, energy, and natural gas services, in May. They spearheaded a project to build a solar installation of 2.4 MW in Genk, Belgium. It features approximately 4,700 of Solarge’s lightweight solar panels, which produce around 2,400 MWh of green and local electricity annually. This is the firm’s largest installation to date, eliminating around 800 tons of CO2 per year.
Demonstrating its commitment to top-notch quality, Solarge ensured the panels underwent extensive testing. ENGIE Laborelec, the ENGIE Group’s research arm, was responsible for this task. It will also lead the installation process this summer and supervise the panels’ financing and maintenance.
Besides the aforementioned entities, Solarge entered a joint partnership with the African Green Infrastructure Investment Bank (AfGIIB) and the Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria (InfraCorp) to construct a solar panel manufacturing facility in Nigeria. This venture was started in hopes of contributing to the decarbonization and industrialization efforts in the region and helping address the enduring issues regarding power shortage.
“Working with third parties to license our lightweight and low-CO2 footprint solar panel tech is part of our strategy for expansion and partnerships,” Vesseur states. “Our partners would be able to manufacture locally, which means they’ll be able to help reduce carbon emissions. Not only that, they’ll also contribute to the growth of the local economy and, in a ripple effect, provide more opportunities for employment. We’re not solely focusing on our own growth. We want to grow alongside our partners and spread the benefits of innovation to more communities, all while expediting the energy transition.”
