
Client & Team
- Solarge is a pioneering Dutch company that develops and manufactures lightweight, recyclable solar panels using innovative polymer-based technology instead of traditional glass, making solar energy more accessible for buildings with limited load-bearing capacity.
- Worked together with the early Solarge team on-site.
- 2018
Project
Solarge was still a small start-up in 2018 and busy with the development of their first product. I worked together with Gerard de Leede, one of the co-founders, at Heijmans and was asked to join their team to speed up the development process.
Scope
- Develop the single Solarge panel to make it ready for official testing.
- Create new concepts and make proof-of-concept prototypes.
- Visiting potential suppliers.
- Set up stress tests and perform first tests.
- Make patent drawings.
- Make 3D renderings using SolidWorks and KeyShot for internal and promotional purposes.
Challenges
- Water or moisture cannot reach the electronics inside the solar panel.
- Final solution should be manufacturable on a large scale.
- The number of manufacturing steps should be as low as possible.
- The total weight of the solar panel should be as low as possible.
- The final solution should pass all mandatory tests to be able to be sold on the European market.




Impact
Eventually, Solarge managed to get their first two products ready for official testing, and they entered the next phase of manufacturing on a larger scale and building a factory in the Netherlands. Two patents were granted.
- Solarge was able to take their company to the next level.
- Co-inventor of a patent for the Photovoltaic panel itself. 20220059713
- Co-inventor of a patent for the entire Solar panel. 20220190773


Role
The main focus was on the Glowing Lines project and its successor as an innovation designer.
- Waterproofing electronics that can be implemented in a road
- Setting up stress tests
- Conducting material research
- Sourcing and supplier contact
- Rapid prototyping e.g. 3D-printing, laser-cutting, molding.
- Creating artist impressions of possible project for Heijmans aquisition team
- Preparing and managing implemention on the N329
- Presenting results to upper management
- Making patent drawings
Balanced Approach
Huib van den Heuvel“Stefan is an enthusiastic and driven designer, creative while also being very structured.”
CSP Solarge & Co-founder
Adaptable Collaboration
Gerard de Leede“Stefan fits perfectly into teams but can also work in autonomous settings when required”
CTO Solarge & Co-founder