1. Our commitment to society
Belga Solar has been a trusted player in the Belgian solar energy sector for over 15 years. It is the only Belgian manufacturer of standard photovoltaic panels. We operate in a sustainable field by default, but we want to go as far as possible in our commitments!
Our mission? To create a European supply chain for efficient photovoltaic solar panels. Contribute to Europe’s energy transition, while helping to reindustrialize Belgium and create high-quality jobs.
Our vision? We believe in a less carbon-intensive future, with decentralized energy production in which solar power is a key solution.
2. Our sustainable development
Belga Solar is run by a duo of entrepreneurs, Sébastien Mahieu and Fred Conrads. They are committed to bringing the values of sustainable development to many aspects of their business.
Belga Solar adapted its articles of association in 2023 to become a mission-driven company, which means that we consider all the company’s stakeholders in our management thinking, not just the company’s profits.
We don’t just want to be the best company in the world, we want to be the best company for the world. That’s the difference!
3. Local employment
Belga Solar is based in Baillonville, 7.5 km from Marche-en-Famenne. It employs 26 people, contributing to the prosperity of local families. We have gone from 16 to 26 employees in just two years.
4. Our B-Corp certification
We are committed to the B Corp certification process. This is a demanding, internationally recognized label that challenges us in five key areas: governance, employees, society or community, environment and customers. We include our staff in these considerations; all colleagues are involved.
5. Carbon footprint and offsetting, 120,000 trees planted!
We measure our carbon emissions across the entire value chain, using the Bilan Carbone® methodology. This covers everything from the sourcing of raw materials to the end-of-life of our panels. Every year, we strive to reduce our impact on the environment. This can be seen, for example, in the reduction of packaging or the electrification of our vehicle fleet.
For unavoidable emissions, we practice carbon offsetting by planting trees through the NGO Graine de Vie. For each installation carried out on private property, we fully offset the emissions generated by the panels installed.
That’s 4 trees planted for every panel installed on a private home. That’s almost 120,000 trees planted since 2019, neutralizing 12,000 tonnes of CO2! We hope soon to involve all our customers, businesses and the public alike, in this approach.
6. Inclusion: our collaboration with Atelier 85
For the production of our packaging, we collaborate with Atelier 85, an adapted work company based in Florennes. This partnership underlines our strong commitment to social inclusion and diversity.
We worked together to reduce our use of cardboard and changed our packaging in 2023, helping to drastically reduce the volume of cardboard used. It’s a great collaboration that’s been going on for years!
7. Durability of our products
Product quality is an essential element of our commitment to sustainable development, as our guarantees are strong:
- 25-year panel life
- 85% minimum performance in 25 years.
What’s the point of selling panels that only last 10 or 15 years? Unfortunately, this practice is widespread on the market, especially for panels imported from Asia.
8. Recycling and waste reduction
The end-of-life of our products is guaranteed by the recyclability of 95% of our panels. We are a member of PV Cycle and one of its main contributors. PV Cycle Belgium is the only management body set up by the industry within the framework of the Environmental Protection Agreement for photovoltaic solar panels, which, in the legal form of a non-profit association, aims to organize and fulfill photovoltaic solar panel take-back obligations on behalf of all its members.
We run annual waste reduction programs and ensure very strict sorting.
9. International impact
In order to share its experience with as many people as possible, Belga Solar is also leaving its native Belgium! In early 2023, we set up Solarcells, a new company in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. This is a joint venture with the Socom Group, Luxembourg’s leading electrical engineering company. Its solar panel manufacturing plant, similar to our Baillonville plant, started up in January 2024.
With the help of the Belgian Development Cooperation, we have also supplied a thousand solar panels to Chad in 2023. Finally, we are currently being consulted for other projects in African countries. Our impact knows no borders!
10. Our contribution to the SDGs
Belga Solar contributes directly to 7 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
SDG 7 – Clean and affordable energy.
By producing solar panels, Belga Solar contributes to the production of clean, renewable energy. This reduces dependence on fossil fuels, while promoting access to sustainable energy.
MDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth
The growth of the solar industry creates sustainable, high-quality jobs. Belga Solar contributes to economic growth while promoting ethical and sustainable working practices.
ODD 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure
The manufacture of photovoltaic panels involves innovative technologies and advanced production processes. This contributes to the development of sustainable industry and infrastructure, by encouraging innovation.
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
By encouraging the use of photovoltaics, Belga Solar is promoting a more responsible approach to consumption and production. Solar panels contribute to sustainability by reducing the carbon footprint associated with energy production.
MDG 13 – Combating climate change
Producing energy from renewable sources, such as solar power, helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change. Belga Solar’s solar panels are a perfect example of this.
ODD 15 – Life on earth
By reducing dependence on non-renewable energies, solar panel production helps preserve the earth’s ecosystems by limiting the negative environmental impact associated with the extraction of fossil fuels.
ODD 17 – Partnerships to achieve the goals
Belga Solar collaborates with other players in the sector, in Belgium and internationally. But also with governments and NGOs, to nurture the sustainable development efforts of partnerships that help achieve the SDGs.
