New EcoCertified Solar Parks Label Aims to Boost Biodiversity in the Netherlands
Utrecht, Thursday, 4 September 2025.
On September 3, 2025, TNO launched the EcoCertified Solar Parks label, ensuring solar parks contribute to energy production and ecological enhancement, including soil health and biodiversity restoration.
Introduction of EcoCertified Solar Parks Label
On September 3, 2025, TNO unveiled the EcoCertified Solar Parks label, a pioneering initiative aimed at ensuring that solar parks in the Netherlands not only contribute to energy generation but also enhance ecological value. This label represents the culmination of four years of research conducted by a consortium that includes Wageningen University & Research, TNO, and several solar park developers affiliated with Holland Solar. The label addresses key areas such as soil health, biodiversity restoration, and sustainable landscape integration [1][2].
Key Objectives and Themes
The EcoCertified Solar Parks label is designed to evaluate projects based on six critical themes: initial development conditions, landscape integration, sustainable design and material use, soil health, biodiversity restoration, and management assurance. By focusing on these areas, the label aims to provide a comprehensive framework for developers and local authorities to integrate nature-inclusive criteria into their solar park developments. This approach ensures that new solar parks contribute positively to the environment, enhancing both soil quality and biodiversity [1][3][4].
Management and Certification
The Greenlabel Institute, known for its expertise in independent sustainability certification, is responsible for managing and issuing the EcoCertified Solar Parks label. This management ensures the label’s credibility and transparency, providing developers with a reliable standard to demonstrate their ecological contributions. The label is currently applicable only to new solar park projects, highlighting a commitment to forward-looking, sustainable energy solutions [1][4][5].
Impact on the Solar Energy Sector
The introduction of the EcoCertified Solar Parks label is a significant step for the Dutch solar energy sector. It provides developers with a tangible instrument to showcase their commitment to ecological enhancement, which is crucial for gaining societal support and accelerating the energy transition. As the label sets a new standard for nature-inclusive solar parks, it is expected to foster greater trust among governments, developers, and local communities, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future [1][2][5].