French company Colas and Dutch construction contractor BAM Royal Group have built two bicycle lanes equipped with photovoltaic modules in the Netherlands.
The two bicycle paths are located in the provinces of Noord-Brabant and Noord-Holland, each covering an area of 1,000 square meters.
Photovoltaic module technology provides 21% power generation efficiency per square meter. The solar cells are protected by multiple layers of resin, and the electrical structure is designed to reduce the amount of wiring.
The two cycle paths will generate 160 MWh of renewable energy throughout the first year. The two projects are part of an initiative launched in 2018 by the National Water Authority, part of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment.
Solar roads are not a new concept in the Netherlands. In 2016, solar panels were installed on a bicycle path near Amsterdam, and in 2020 another solar-powered bicycle path was built in Utrecht. However, the feasibility and economic feasibility of solar roads remain controversial.
The Dutch government is also developing a "Zon op Infra" program to test the feasibility of solar power generation on road infrastructure. The plan includes deploying solar installations along highways and noise screens.
With land scarce, Dutch authorities are struggling to find ground for large-scale photovoltaic power plants. In recent years, research institutions and private companies have sought to demonstrate the viability of solar projects on non-agricultural land, including embankments, rooftops, onshore and offshore water surfaces.