Vesteda and Zonneplan continue partnership: at least 11,000 free solar panels in 2024
Vesteda and energy company Zonneplan will continue their partnership this year. As many as 1,295 rental properties are scheduled to receive at least 11,000 solar panels in 2024. A special feature of this collaboration, which started back in 2021, is that the panels will be free of charge for tenants. Zonneplan completed this year’s first installation on 18 March at the home of Mr Stals in Eindhoven. During this festive occasion, Mr Stals was presented with a bouquet of flowers .
Since Vesteda and Zonneplan joined forces in August 2021, Zonneplan has already fitted 2,493 rental properties in Amsterdam, Almere, Eindhoven and other locations with solar panels and the participation rate is very high. Last year, as many as 97.8% of all tenants agreed to our personalised offer to fit solar panels. “This hardly surprising,” says tenant consultant Maikel van Brussel of Zonneplan, who goes to tenants’ homes to answer questions. “There is no reason for them not to participate. They get free solar panels, which reduces their energy bills. The most frequently asked question is therefore whether there really is no catch,” Van Brussel says with a smile.
Free solar panels, all proceeds go to tenants
Many landlords who install solar panels charge their tenants a monthly fee. Vesteda very deliberately chose not to do this right from the start. Regional manager Jan van der Wegen: “We want to make a serious contribution to the country’s climate goals, which is why we make it as attractive as possible for our tenants. They incur no costs for the installation of the solar panels in any way and all proceeds from the panels go to them.” And that strategy is paying off: in 2023, Vesteda was named Global Sector Leader Residential by environmental organisation GRESB.
Reducing energy costs mid-rental segment
Since the rise in energy prices, we have seen a lot more attention being devoted to the situation of renters. After all, those who do not own a home but want to make it more sustainable are completely dependent on the efforts of their landlords. According to Joep Buimer, Zonneplan’s project coordinator for all Vesteda projects, it is also important that we do not overlook tenants in the mid-rental segment, a segment that Vesteda focuses on. “Of course, social housing tenants are the most vulnerable group. But don’t forget that the group just above the social housing segment often cannot claim allowances and income-related subsidies. This is why we are very happy to be able to help these households reduce their energy costs.”
