From Innovation to Circularity: Building a Sustainable Solar Future in the Netherlands
This edition of SustainaLab Talks will focus on initiatives within the SolarNL consortium and on how we can ensure that new solar technologies are not only innovative, but also developed and applied in a sustainable and circular way.
Experts from research, industry, and policy will explore what it takes to make circularity an integral part of the solar PV value chain. From the design and manufacturing of silicon solar panels to their use, reuse, repair, and end-of-life treatment, the session will look at how we can reduce material use, extend product lifetimes, and keep valuable materials in circulation.
Moving towards a circular solar sector requires more than technological innovation. It calls for collaboration across the entire value chain, bringing together researchers, manufacturers, policymakers, local governments, and other stakeholders to address questions around design, materials, production, infrastructure, regulation, and deployment.
With contributions from SolarNL, Holland Solar, AMOLF, TNO, and the City of Amsterdam, this SustainaLab Talks session will explore the opportunities and challenges of making solar PV more circular in the Netherlands—and how collaboration can help turn ambition into practice.
Speakers:
- Mees Dieperink, Program Officer at SolarNL, will introduce the SolarNL programme and its role in strengthening the Dutch solar-energy innovation ecosystem. He will outline how SolarNL connects research, industry and public partners to accelerate the development, scaling and sustainable deployment of next-generation solar technologies.
- Luna Warzawa, PhD candidate SolarNL at AMOLF, researches light trapping strategies for thin film solar cells, especially crystalline silicon. She will discuss ways on how to ensure that high efficiencies of these solar cells can be achieved, although the materials used are heavily scaled down.
- Kahya Engler, Solar Program Manager at TNO, will offer a programme-level perspective on the development of circular solar design technologies and re-use and recycling concepts at TNO. Her presentation will address the role of collaboration across research, industry and policy in accelerating innovations supporting a sustainable, circular energy system.
- Jens Weerdenburg, Circularity and Solar Manufacturing Specialist at Holland Solar, will share the Dutch solar sector’s perspective on circularity and industrial development. He will highlight the role of policy frameworks in enabling the sustainable scaling of circular solar technologies.
- Lukas Sloet, Policy Solar Officer at the City of Amsterdam will explore how municipal policy and innovation can help bring emerging solar technologies from research and pilot projects into practical use in the city. His contribution will highlight Amsterdam’s role and ambitions in accelerating this transition, exploring how cities can support a more sustainable and circular energy system. Complementing this perspective, Eline Hoogendijk will share insights from Zonbank Amsterdam on giving solar panels a second life.
Moderation by Yvonne Smit, Communication Manager at SolarNL.
Thursday, November 12th, 2026
14:30 – 15:15 Visit SolarNL Museum (optional) 
SolarNL, Amsterdam Science Park, Amsterdam (5-minute walk to SustainaLab)
15:30 – 18:00 SustainaLab Talks (including networking drinks) SustainaLab, Matrix ONE, Amsterdam Science Park 301, 1098 XH Amsterdam
Language: English
Cost: Free
Whether you are interested in the future of solar energy, circular economy and sustainable manufacturing, or the collaboration needed to accelerate the energy transition, this session offers insights into the people, initiatives, and ideas shaping a more circular solar sector in the Netherlands.