Sustainable for earth and people

Solar power is a well-known renewable source of energy and an indispensable building block for a climate-neutral energy supply.

However, impact with solar energy requires application on a huge scale, and that is only possible if solar power is sustainable for the earth and humans in all respects. In other words: if solar energy is sustainable, or, better still, even more sustainable than it already is. This is something we are working very hard on. Globally and by TNO and partners.

The CO2 footprint of solar energy, which is mainly related to manufacturing with fossil fuels, must be further reduced, the use of materials must be further reduced and solar energy must become circular. In addition, solar panels must be optimally integrated into our living environment and combined with nature and the environment. With the effects of climate change already becoming so clear and painfully noticeable, time is perhaps the most important factor. We are in a glowing hurry to make sustainable solar power widely available.

Programme

  • What is sustainable solar power? Its ambitions and challenges. By Prof Dr Wim Sinke, chief solar energy researcher at TNO and UvA professor.
  • Sustainability & circularity: European strategy and policy for sustainable solar power. By Dr Mara Hauck, researcher TNO and TU/e.
  • Sustainability & circularity of solar energy in practice: technological solutions. By Dr Mirjam Theelen, researcher TNO.

This interactive webinar discussed how solar energy can become even more sustainable and addressed the footprint of solar power, circularity and recycling of solar panels.

You can watch the webinar back via the following link:
https://www.tno.nl/webinar-duurzame-zonne-energie

Whitepaper
You can download the whitepaper discussed during the webinar here.
A huge number of questions were asked during the broadcast. The TNO webinar Team are doing their utmost to answer all questions ASAP.

@ KIVI-EL: Also watch VPRO Tegenlicht: The breakthrough of sustainable on 13 March 2016 or VPROTegenlicht: Documentary on solar power plants on 17 March 2016