Dutch printer uses solar energy to print

De Bij printers in Amsterdam invested in solar energy this summer. The flat roof of the print shop was completely covered in solar panels. These 264 panels delivery 60,000 KWH yearly which covers 80% of the print shops´s energy demand. Owner Norbert van Schie is a leader in this field. He knows how to combine his passion for the environment with business acumen.

According to Norbert van Schie this investment was done mainly because of his passion for sustainability. “Ten years ago I had already investigated if the roof was suitable for solar panels. At the time the technology was still in its infancy and the return on investment took longer than the actual life span which was a step too far for me. And because I am renting the property I didn´t want to commit for that long. If it would have been my own premises I would have done this much earlier.

But you can still dream. Everyone wants to have more renewable energy, but rather not in their own backyard or visible such as the new wind parks.
We have enough black flat roofs in the Netherlands and you cannot see them from the ground so it is a perfect energy source without bothering anyone. I think it will only be a matter of time before all flat roofs have solar panels. The technology is advancing rapidly, the cost is lower, but when do you do it?
For me the time is now. It is reasonably affordable. By using the government scheme to stimulate renewable energy (Stimuleringsregeling Duurzame Energieproductie) my return on investment will start in nine years´ time. This made it an acceptable investment risk for me, I could let my passion win. Of course I see the commercial advantages, sustainable production can become a business model. 90% of my clients choose us because of our sustainability.”