Research on solar panels and demand aggregation • Dialogic

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In September 2011, Dialogic - in collaboration with the residents' committee Vondelparc Energiepositief from the Utrecht neighbourhood of Vondelparc - started investigating possibilities to make this neighbourhood more sustainable. After initial research, it became clear that solar panels could make a significant contribution in the short term. To further support this choice, Dialogic conducted a technical and market research which concluded that the time to invest in solar panels had come. Following this, it was decided with the committee to take concrete actions, start a collective inquiry and apply for individual subsidies from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (AgentschapNL).

Together with the committee, Dialogic developed comprehensive business cases and informed residents during two information evenings. Solar panel provider Atama Solar also explained to the Municipality of Utrecht the contribution they could make.

By the summer of this year, approximately 60 households had signed up during the collective inquiry. Currently, the first batch of 19 houses has operational solar panels. This will be followed by a second batch of 3 apartment complexes and a parking garage. In a third batch, the committee will try to equip the remaining houses and apartments with solar panels as much as possible. Dialogic is currently exploring opportunities for the installation of electric (shared) cars and further possibilities for smart grid developments in the neighbourhood.

From Dialogic, Leon Meulendijks and Sven Maltha have been involved in the project so far. Leon used this project as a case study for his graduation. On 26th October 2012, he obtained his Master of Science degree in Innovation Sciences from Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e).