Harnessing solar power on fragile rooftops is not an easy task, but Dutch-based company RABLE is tackling this challenge head-on. Recently, the startup secured a significant investment of €2.5 million from SHIFT Invest, Rubio Impact Ventures, and the Rotterdam Energy Transition Fund. This funding is set to uphold RABLE’s vision of extending solar energy’s reach to structures previously deemed unsuitable for traditional installations. Urban developers and environmental advocates alike have followed this endeavor, recognizing the demand for innovative solutions in sustainable energy.
RABLE has developed a self-supporting mounting system, especially useful for installing solar panels on roofs that cannot bear heavy loads. SHIFT Invest’s Koen Hooning highlighted the importance of this advancement, saying,
“The RABLE mounting system significantly expands its applicability. We are proud to collaborate with Rubio and the Rotterdam Energy Transition Fund.”
Incorporating innovation in solar panel installation, RABLE distinguishes itself by opening up new avenues to place solar infrastructure without requiring expensive renovations, unlike the conventional approach, which often demands costly roof reinforcements.
Why is this innovation crucial?
Over 50% of commercial roofs in the Netherlands are unsuitable for solar panels due to weight restrictions. These structures, mostly built before 2015, can support snow and water but not the burden of solar panels. Despite the interest in deploying solar installations, the financial burden of fortifying such roofs – at costs reaching €75 per square meter – has inhibited progress, until now. RABLE’s system addresses this issue effectively, extending solar panel access to weaker structures. The Netherlands alone could gain an additional 1.1 TWh annually by 2030 using these systems.
What about RABLE’s next steps?
The capital investment will be crucial for RABLE’s geographic expansion into France, Belgium, and Sweden. CEO Erik Valks believes this move can propel their technology into new markets, stating,
“Thanks to this investment, we can accelerate our expansion to France, Belgium, and Sweden.”
Positioned to engage with previously untapped markets, RABLE aims to broaden its reach, increasing the adoption of their specialized mounting systems globally.
Initially founded in 2019 in Delft, RABLE has already undertaken over fifty projects to date, chiefly on weaker roofs, and is keen to leverage its technology on stronger roofs and other installations like parking lots. This method provides more flexibility and potential for solar energy expansion across different types of infrastructure, presenting a promising strategy in the face of energy and environmental challenges.
SHIFT Invest, a venture capital firm focused on various sustainable practices, was part of the latest investment deal. With similar missions, Rubio Impact Ventures and the Rotterdam Energy Transition Fund align their efforts with the aspirations to reduce carbon footprints and enhance sustainable practices through financial backing.
With the energy transition accelerating globally, RABLE is strategically positioned to play a vital role in this shift. The support from SHIFT Invest, Rubio Impact Ventures, and the Rotterdam Energy Transition Fund symbolizes a partnership of shared values in reducing carbon emissions and embracing economical, environmentally-friendly solutions.
The forward-thinking strategies adopted by RABLE are demonstrable of broader shifts within the renewable energy sector. Readers interested in sustainable solutions will find RABLE’s efforts noteworthy as they challenge existing paradigms in the solar industry. As RABLE expands its technology’s application to new markets and regions, its role in the energy transition landscape is set to expand, bringing solar solutions to structures and areas once regarded as unsuitable.
