Netherlands' Solar Capacity Surges to 28.62GW with SDE++ Program
The Netherlands' solar energy capacity has significantly expanded, with the 'SDE++ program' recently granting nearly 1.8 gigawatts of PV capacity. However, the Dutch government's coalition collapse in June 2025 has impacted the PV market, particularly in residential and C&I sectors.
The latest round of the 'SDE++ program' has brought a substantial boost to the Netherlands' solar energy capacity, with almost 1.8 gigawatts of PV capacity approved, including open-field, industrial rooftop, and floating projects. This addition has pushed the total installed PV capacity to 28.62 gigawatts by the end of 2024.
Despite this growth, the Dutch government acknowledges that additional investments in PV, wind, and battery storage, along with grid improvements, are crucial to meet the increasing electricity demand, driven by the need to decarbonize all energy consumption sectors.
The Dutch government has ended its SolarNL subsidy program for large-scale domestic photovoltaic module production, citing lack of viability. However, subsidies for building new large-scale PV installations continue under the 'SDE++ program,' demonstrating the government's ongoing support for solar energy deployment.
In the first half of 2025, around 550 megawatts of small-scale PV installations were added in the Netherlands. Although sales of residential PV installations could be slightly higher than in the C&I sector, both sectors have witnessed a decline since the peak in 2023, partly due to the government coalition collapse.
The Netherlands' solar energy capacity has grown significantly, but challenges remain. The new Dutch government must find suitable ways to achieve long-term energy goals, as the increasing electricity demand and negative energy prices impact the profitability of large-scale PV investments. The recent expansion of PV capacity under the 'SDE++ program' is a positive step, but further investments and policy support will be essential to ensure the continued growth of the solar energy sector.
