At the end of August, the first round of subsidies from the Municipality of Amsterdam for extra solar panels on the roofs of Amsterdam housing associations. De Key, Eigen Haard, Rochdale, Stadgenoot and Ymere have received a total of 2.3 million euros in subsidy. They will install 19,000 to 20,000 additional solar panels on their roofs next year, good for approximately 6.5 megawatts (MW). It concerns roofs that would otherwise not, not completely, be used until much later. In addition to environmental benefits, the panels provide immediate or long-term lower energy costs for tenants. The first panels will be installed this year.

Alderman Marieke van Doorninck (Sustainability): “Amsterdam wants as much clean energy as possible produced with solar panels by leaving no roof unused. There are currently more than half a million solar panels on Amsterdam roofs. This should be 1 million in 2022. Placing solar panels on all roofs is not even easy for housing associations. This concerns, for example, roofs where a worker has to be involved, where a lot of pulling is required or where it is higher to place panels due to the location of the type of roof covering. With this subsidy we will be able to install solar panels on these roofs as well and make the city more sustainable more quickly.”

Rochdale starts first

The Rochdale housing association has received funding for 19 projects on approximately 30 roofs on the homes of more than 2,100 households. The projects were chosen because of the roof maintenance that has recently been carried out. “We can completely fill our roofs with solar panels and also provide the smaller roofs with panels.” “We use the generated solar energy in the common areas. After deduction of the consumption of, for example, lifts, lighting and water pressure, there is enough left over to supply back to the grid. We earn back on our investment.” In November, the first 200 solar panels will be installed on the Rochdale housing complex at 3e Kekerstraat.

2nd subsidy round starts on January 17, 2022

Amsterdam is investing a total of 78 million euros from the Climate Fund to make the city more sustainable faster than planned. A 4 euro subsidy has been made available for Amsterdam housing associations, resulting in the million being able to install 32,000 extra solar panels for two years. For the 1.7 million euros, it is possible to apply for a subsidy from January 17, 2022. There is a maximum subsidy amount of 1 million euros per corporation.

More professionals needed

This financial impulse will generate a lot of extra work over the years. Work with a future in a growth sector, with the latest resources and techniques and with opportunities for advancement. Skilled and experienced professionals are needed to realize Amsterdam’s climate ambitions. The municipality is currently making agreements with employers, training institutes and sector organizations about the retraining of Amsterdammers for the sustainability sector.