Energy cooperative Zonnige Start is pulling the plug on its solar project on the roof of the Scholtenszathe Estate in Klazienaveen-Noord. Due to stricter insurance requirements and low electricity prices, the project is no longer profitable, says board member Jan Schoonbeek.
The reason is the obligation to have the installation re-inspected in accordance with the so-called Scope 12 requirements, a technical inspection that insurers now make mandatory. “These requirements are quite strict,” says Schoonbeek. “In our case, this would mean that we would have to invest more than 20,000 euros to continue to meet the conditions.”
Sunny Start kicked off in 2018 and was the first energy cooperative within the municipality of Emmen. Unlike many other postcode rose projects, members did not have to purchase solar panels. With a one-off deposit of ten euros, they could fully participate in the tax benefit.
“That made a huge difference,” says Schoonbeek. “Some members received up to 600 euros in energy tax back at the end of the year.” In total, approximately 120 to 130 members participated, spread over a large postcode area that ran from Ter Apel to parts of Emmen, including Parc Sandur and Klazienaveen-Noord.
The solar panels are on the roof of the Scholtenszathe Estate in Klazienaveen-Noord, which made the space available free of charge at the time. “Without that support, this cooperative could never have existed,” says Schoonbeek. This concerns a roof installation on an agricultural shed, which, according to current insurance rules, is taxed more heavily than solar parks in the field.
According to Schoonbeek, investing does not outweigh the returns, especially because the old postcode rose scheme will expire within a few years. “The scheme ran until 2032, but the investment cannot be recouped in the remaining six years,” says Schoonbeek. “Certainly not with an electricity price of around three cents per kilowatt hour.”
Other cooperatives, such as Oranjepoort near Oranjedorp, have a favorable starting position, according to Schoonbeek. “They received a field setup and also panels without purchase costs. That makes a world of difference.”
The Scholtenszathe estate has indicated that it wants to take over the 954 solar panels, so that Zonnige Start is not left with high disassembly and clean-up costs. “There remains a financial loss,” Schoonbeek acknowledges. “But this prevents an even bigger problem.”