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12 min Reading time Just like we did for the previous House of Representatives elections in 2021, we’ve taken a close look at the programs of the major political parties to find their positions on solar energy. We limited our research to the 16 parties that, according to polls, have a realistic chance of winning at least one seat. We didn’t find many surprises, but hopefully, this comparison of the wise and not-so-wise words from the party programs will be interesting for you.
The order in which we discuss the parties is the same as on your ballot paper. Disclaimer: We’ve done our best to accurately summarize everything, but we can’t guarantee that there are no errors. For exact wording, we refer you to the election programs of the respective parties!
The VVD (People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy) wants to stimulate solar energy adoption for households and businesses. Their approach: "placing as many solar panels as possible on rooftops of homes and industrial buildings while also promoting the use of (home and neighborhood) batteries to enhance self-sufficiency, lower energy bills, and ultimately aim for self-sufficient neighborhoods and business parks."
The VVD does not explicitly mention the net metering scheme, but since they previously voted in favor of phasing it out in January, it’s safe to assume they still support that policy.
D66 is enthusiastic about "breakthroughs in photonics" that will lead to "more efficient solar panels and new measurement systems for agriculture."
(And in case you’re wondering: photonics, or optoelectronics, is a scientific and technical field that deals with the interaction between light (photons) and electrons (electronics) – thanks, Wikipedia!)
D66 also wants to work at the European level to secure enough raw materials, production, and recycling capacity for key technologies like wind turbines, solar panels, batteries, and hydrogen. They do not mention the net metering scheme, likely assuming that the phase-out proposed by their party leader, Minister Jetten, will continue.
GroenLinks-PvdA wants to ensure that "everyone can benefit from solar panels." They plan to make this happen by "allocating extra funds to invest in solar panels for rental homes and owner-occupied homes of people with low incomes, making solar panels affordable for everyone."
Regarding the net metering scheme, they state: "Once people with low and middle incomes can also benefit from solar panels, we will phase out the net metering scheme." Additionally, they want to make solar panels mandatory for large buildings, new construction, and public buildings such as schools.
The PVV takes a completely different stance. According to them, all climate measures are nonsense:
Their energy plan includes:
Oddly enough, they do want to keep the net metering scheme for solar panels. Maybe some PVV members have solar panels themselves?
CDA aims for a mix of energy sources. They support:
As part of the current government, CDA has already voted for the phase-out of the net metering scheme. They argue:
SP wants an aggressive approach to cutting energy bills:
They advocate for re-nationalizing or locally organizing energy companies so that profits from energy investments (including solar panels and storage) benefit the public. The SP also wants to keep the net metering scheme.
Forum for Democracy (FVD) denies the climate crisis, claiming:
Their plan:
Unlike the PVV, FVD wants to restart Groningen gas extraction.
For the Partij van de Dieren (PvdD), the stance is clear: "Solar panels on buildings will become the norm. All newly built homes will be equipped with solar panels." However, "there will be no solar farms in nature or on agricultural land, except around Schiphol Airport."
Regarding the net metering scheme, the PvdD wants to "maintain it for people who do not yet have solar panels," while it should be "phased out for those who already have solar panels, taking the payback period into account."
Additional policies will be introduced for tenants and homeowners who cannot afford solar panels, as well as for housing associations, ensuring that everyone can generate solar energy and benefit from net metering. "Self-generated electricity must be fed back into the grid without costs or taxes. Tenants must also have the opportunity to supply electricity back to the grid and benefit from lower energy bills."
ChristenUnie is also a strong advocate for sustainable energy. According to the party, significant investments should be made in wind and solar energy.
As a participant in the current government, the CU supports the phase-out of the net metering scheme. However, the party also believes that "even after phasing out the net metering scheme, a fair return on solar panels must remain possible, for example by including solar panels in the ISDE subsidy scheme."
Volt wants to phase out the net metering scheme as soon as possible, "so that excess electricity fed back into the grid is bought back by energy suppliers at a fair market price."
Additionally, the party wants to introduce a gradual obligation for solar panels on all flat rooftops. This means that large rooftops of warehouses, office buildings, and government facilities will be covered with solar panels—"instead of using green meadows."
The ultimate goal is for "Dutch electricity to be generated without natural gas by 2035." To achieve this, Volt aims to work closely with neighboring countries to reduce energy consumption and expand solar and wind energy, along with improved storage solutions.
Like PVV and FvD, JA21 is not particularly enthusiastic about renewable energy. The party opposes what they see as a "forced ‘sustainable’ lifestyle" being imposed on Dutch citizens.
Instead, they advocate for full commitment to nuclear energy, calling it "the electricity source of the future." Their plan includes building numerous small nuclear reactors. Additionally, JA21 wants to continue gas extraction in Groningen and keep coal-fired power plants open.
The SGP supports reducing fossil fuel use but warns against "blindly focusing on achieving at least a 55% CO₂ reduction by 2030."
When it comes to solar energy, the party emphasizes that "the payback period for investors must remain attractive." To encourage this transition, they believe there should be an incentive for people to consume as much of their generated solar power as possible.
As in previous elections, the SGP stresses the importance of "energy savings, recycling, innovation, and the use of energy sources and storage technologies that require fewer scarce metals."
DENK does not specifically mention solar panels but firmly believes that "all nuclear and coal power plants must be shut down, starting with the most polluting ones." While gas may serve as a temporary solution, the party emphasizes the need for "a swift and responsible transition to green energy," with a strong preference for solar and wind power.
Their goal: "At least 40% clean energy by 2030 and 100% by 2050."
Bij1 doesn’t go into much detail about solar panels or the net metering scheme but strongly believes that "major investments must be made in (new) sustainable energy alternatives." They emphasize that "income position must be taken into account, ensuring that people with lower incomes do not bear the financial burden of the energy transition."
As a fresh newcomer, Nieuw Sociaal Contract aligns more with the CDA, advocating for a mix of energy sources, including solar power and nuclear energy. However, they oppose "the development of solar farms on fertile farmland and in nature reserves, as well as large onshore wind farms." Instead, they believe "solar panels should primarily be installed on rooftops and along infrastructure." The party does not mention the net metering scheme.
