De Kernen Housing Association: three-quarters of homes have solar panels

The solar panels are generating significant savings for De Kernen's tenants in Bommelerwaard, Land van Maas en Waal and Tielerwaard. Together, they are saving around € 1 million a year thanks to lower energy costs. In addition, this represents a reduction of around 3 million kg of CO2 emissions per year. 

Nationwide, there are approximately 2.6 million social housing units, of which around 120,000 have solar panels on their roofs. Nationwide, more than 4 per cent of social housing units have solar panels on their roofs, which is quite a difference when compared to the approximately 75 per cent of De Kernen's homes.  

About five years ago, De Kernen started installing solar panels on 420 homes. When that project was completed, the foundation simply continued. Over the past three years, another 3,000 homes have been fitted with solar panels. This makes the housing association an example for other associations. The choice was made to combine affordability with sustainability, making smart use of the subsidy from the province. The residents' council of De Kernen has been involved in this ambitious project from the outset. Together with the residents' council, it was decided to increase the rent by 1% in 2014. This proved to be effective. In combination with investments from De Kernen, it was then possible to realise the project on this large scale. 

It has been agreed with Aedes that all housing associations must achieve an average energy label B by 2020. De Kernen will achieve label A by the end of 2018. This puts it at the forefront and gives it room to think carefully about the next major challenge: becoming energy neutral by 2050. Sustainability is high on De Kernen's strategic agenda.  

The solar panel project at De Kernen is a wonderful example of sustainability at one of our social housing clients, and we are proud to be their house bank.