
MISSION & VISION
Biosphere Solar works on a world where the circular and fair solar panels are the norm in the PV industry. To this end we are developing new design standards for the PV industry. We envision a world where solar energy and biodiversity regeneration are brought together, and the use of open-source PV module design enables rapid and resilient developments. This vision is guiding us to the development of an open-source, circular, and fair solar module. Our aim is to provide the knowledge and technology necessary to help the solar industry transition towards more sustainable designs and business models.
OUR VALUES
We live in historic times. Never before has one generation had the chance to influence the faith of the earth for millenia to come. The goal of our organisation is to make the largest sustainability impact possible. This means lowering emissions, regenerating biodiversity, keeping materials and components in the loop, and creating efficient; transparent and fair value chains. For us, circularity means more than simply recycling. We are redesigning solar panels in a modular way to enable repair, upgrades, and refurbisment. In addition, we are creating a holistic transition that is equitable for current and future generations. Adressing the human rights shortfalls in the solar supply chain is therefore crucial. As such, we aim to source our materials from fair suppliers as much as possible.
To bring about a change and have large scale impact, we aim to enable a global, smart, and distributed network of solar panel production, remanufacturing and maintenance. By simplifying (re)manufacturing through design we offer a new way to scale solar, and make sure all materials and components stay in the loop. This way, we are bringing about the age of circularity and open-source hardware in the PV industry. However, we believe groundbreaking sustainable innovation should not be developed behind closed walls. We believe in the power of community and are therefore building a global network of contributors who join us in making solar truly fair, circular and available to everyone. Therefore, anyone can contribute to our design and become part of an ever-growingn community of fair and circular PV pioneers!
With the exponential growth of solar installations comes an exponential growth in solar panel waste. It is estimated that by 2050 humanity will generate more than 500 million tonnes of solar waste. This waste includes incredibly valuable as well as toxic materials, which go into the environment or are downgraded at the end-of-life of solar panels. This has to do with the EVA lamination used in production, which is essentially a glue that encapsulates the components and holds them together. Because of this lamination, separating the components is virtually impossible. There has been work to develop more recyclable laminations, but we focus on enabling full disassembly through modular design. This ensures that not only humanity can tackle climate change through renewable energy, but this system can be maintained for millenia with materials that stay in the loop.
In every aspect of doing business, we want to be critical of the systems that caused today’s socio-environmental crisis. We want to see where things can be done better while being compatible with existing infrastructures. Therefore, we strive for work to be a deeply rewarding experience, not a drudgy chore. We ask people only to work when they feel a need and passion for it. We reward people by giving them what they need for a good life, not by making them excessively wealthy. Moreover, we foster a team of diverse individuals, who all belong and are valued. We aim to tackle and explicitly acknowledge predjudices throughout our work. Finally, we want work to be a safe space where people can express their needs and feel heard at all times. Together, this makes for a diverse, equitable and inclusive team, ready to tackle the complex challenges at hand.
The challenges that Biosphere Solar aims to tackle far surpass its own capabilities. We have therefore developed a far-reaching network in the industry, academia, and policy spheres. Only through collaboration can we realise our mission of bringing circular and fair solar panels to the market and industry. If you are interested in collaborating on bringing circular and fair solar energy to the market and industry, please get in touch.Â
THE TEAM
CORE TEAM

SIEMEN BRINKSMA
strategy & finance

PERINE FLEURY
network building

TIM KAASJAGER
product development
V0 CONTRIBUTORS
ASLI DEMIR
creative director
MYRTHE COSTER
test & product engineer
KESHAV SHUKLA
test & product engineer
SAM BOERMANS
development kit designer
MARK SHENOUDA
finance & funding
HARSHRASJ GALI
industrial network
MANNES VAN DE WINKEL
sales shark
FULVIA IANOTTA
impact assessment
JUDIT KLOOSTER
community building
PUCK WYNIA
online media
MIHIR MAHAJAN
interconnections
LIAM MCCLAIN
content creation
YOUP KROON
interconnect design
RUTGER RITSMA
mechanical design
FALKO BAATSEN
mechanical design
AITOR WEAN
product design
KUSHAL GORTI
business development
DOMONKOS PLANER
business development
VICTOR BECCARIA
business development
MAITHELI NIKAM
solar engineering
SUJITH REDDY
solar engineering
KARTHIK DEIVAMANI
solar engineering
ISA HUIPEN
community building
RAJU PRUSPANATI
solar engineering
ALICE BUCHNER
research & assessment
SIL DE LEEUW
business development
JOEY NIJNENS
business development
EUNICE KOID
research & validation
OUR STORY
OKT 2022
EIT RAW MATERIALS ACCELERATOR
Admission into the EU-funded EIT Raw Materials Accelerator
AUG 2022
PROTOTYPE V0.4
Release of our fourth prototype, with a focus on aesthetics and efficiency
JUL 2022
REPAIR PROTOTYPE V0.3
We repaired our very first prototype of VO.3
JUN 2022
CIRCULAR VALLEY ACCELERATOR
We started the CV accelerator in Wuppertal, Germany.
MAY 2022
GLOBAL CLEANTECH CHALLENGE
We attend the Global Cleantech Challenge in London, and win 2nd place.
MAY 2022
PROTOTYPE V0.3
The third iteration of our prototype was released, including process improvements, encapsulation improvements and various cell types.
APR 2022
CLEANTECH CHALLENGE
Biosphere Solar wins the Dutch CleanTech Challenge, allowing the team to go to the global finals in May.
MAR 2022
OFFICE & WORKSPACE
A new workspace and office is opened at Staalweg 1, Delft, the Netherlands. This is where prototyping and development is centered
FEB 2022
MAKERSPACE DELFT
Collaboration with the open Makerspace Delft begins, where prototype V0.3 will be developed.
NOV 2021
GREEN VILLAGE PILOT
The Green Village of TU Delft grants Biosphere Solar access to their grounds to allow for a pilot project and field testing of an array of PV modules
AUG 2021
ZUID-HOLLAND PROVINCE FUNDING
The province of Zuid-Holland confirms funding for the testing and development of the Biosphere Solar PV module
JUL 2021
PROTOTYPE V0.2
The second prototype of Biosphere Solar’s circular and fair PV module design is developed as a research project in collaboration with TU Delft
MAR 2021
IMPACT CONTEST 2021
Biosphere Solar joins the 2021 Impact Contest in the ideation category and wins first place, receiving funding and coaching.
NOV 2020
FOUNDING
Biosphere Solar is officially founded in the Netherlands
OCT 2020
V0.1
The first prototype of a repairable, modular solar panel is developed as a proof-of-concept.
CONTRIBUTE>
Help product development by joining the community, submitting design ideas or donating
PRODUCT>
Learn more about our product and its benefits over conventional solar panels
CONTACT>
Get in touch with us for inquiries, partnerships and moreINVEST>
Join us in our mission to bring solar energy to the next level