Dutch network operators strike solar agreement to accelerate grid connections

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Image: Getty.

Network operators in the Netherlands have struck an agreement with the country’s solar sector to speed-up grid connections for solar projects.

Under the terms of the deal, enshrined within a legal covenant, solar operators will agree to solar export limits of 70% of any given project’s peak generation capacity, a measure which grid operators said would allow for grid connection times to be slashed.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Trade body Holland Solar said the agreement would allow for solar to generate more efficiently and more affordably on the Dutch grid, adding that an influx of large solar projects in the Netherlands in recent years had resulted in various costly network upgrades to be required.

While those upgrades take place, solar – and other energy generation projects – are left waiting to connect to the grid, and the implementation of a 70% cap on exports is considered to reduce the need for those upgrades.

While grid connection agreements must be made at a project’s maximum peak generation capacity to ensure grid stability, Holland Solar stated that solar projects only produce more than 70% of that peak capacity for around 3% of the time. In capping exports to 70% of a project’s peak capacity, it’s aimed that more ‘space’ on grids will be identified and used to approve the connection of more solar.

Network operators have too agreed to provide more insight into particular areas of the grid which are more constrained, identifying where bottlenecks may be arising.

Meanwhile, Holland Solar’s members have also agreed to an amendment which states that all grid connection agreements are signed for a minimum of 20 years to ensure any investment in grid upgrades is justified.

In addition to the agreement, all parties involved have expressed their desire to see a separate category within the Netherlands’ SDE++ subsidy programme to provide additional support for renewables projects which “flatten the curve” of generation, such as those featuring energy storage applications.

Eric Wiebes, minister of economic affairs and climate in the Dutch government, welcomed the agreement, stating the energy transition presents us with the challenge “not only to generate more sustainable energy, but also in such a way that we can use this energy properly on our electricity grid”.

Read Next

August 12, 2025
Australia’s New South Wales has increased its renewable energy targets to 16GW of new clean power generation by 2030 and 42GWh of long-duration energy storage (LDES) by 2034.
Premium
August 8, 2025
Energy storage escaped much of the pain inflicted on solar, but foreign entity restrictions may create some supply-chain challenges.
August 6, 2025
US tracker manufacturer FTC Solar has posted US$19.9 million in revenue in the second quarter of 2025, up year-on-year for the second quarter in a row.
Premium
August 5, 2025
Although residential solar in the US has lost its main tax credit, there is still hope that its popularity and economics could win the day.
Premium
August 4, 2025
Legislation withdrawing vital tax credits has plunged the US solar market into turmoil, putting project deployments and manufacturing at risk.
August 4, 2025
Australia’s Productivity Commission said the country should phase out subsidies for renewables and replace them with market-based incentives.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines