RABLE secures €2.5 million to accelerate European rollout of self-supporting solar system

Delft-based solar scale-up RABLE is taking its breakthrough mounting system for solar panels to Europe, launching in France, Belgium and Sweden. The company’s self-supporting solution makes weak rooftops suitable for solar installations, unlocking a huge untapped potential for clean energy. After proving its success in the Netherlands – with more than fifty projects already delivered on previously unsuitable rooftops – RABLE is now ready to scale internationally.

Impact investors SHIFT Invest, Rubio and the Rotterdam Energy Transition Fund (managed by InnovationQuarter) are investing €2.5 million to support this next growth phase, recognising RABLE’s innovative technology, CO₂ reduction potential and strong business plan.

InnovationQuarter already invested in RABLE back in 2023 through the Rotterdam Energy Transition Fund. Read more about this milestone in the article 50% of Dutch rooftops now suitable for solar panels / €2.5 million for solar startup RABLE.

A pressing European challenge

Over half of all commercial rooftops in the Netherlands are too weak to support solar panels, according to research by SystemIQ commissioned by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). The same problem affects rooftops across Europe. Buildings constructed before 2015 were designed to handle snow and rain, but not the additional weight of solar systems. Renovations – costing up to €75 per m² – are often required, making projects financially unviable. In the Netherlands alone, this represents at least 295 km² of restricted rooftop area.

Smart solar innovation unlocking new potential

RABLE’s self-supporting mounting system allows solar panels to be installed directly on weak rooftops without the need for structural renovation. This opens the door for solar energy generation where it was previously impossible. In the Netherlands, this innovation alone could contribute an additional 1.1 TWh annually towards the country’s 2030 climate targets. Including heavily restricted rooftops would boost this potential by another 16%.

“Our technology unlocks an enormous solar potential that has been left untapped until now. This investment allows us to accelerate our expansion into France, Belgium and Sweden, with more countries to follow. The trust placed in us by our investors gives us the momentum to scale faster and play a structural role in speeding up the energy transition.”

– Erik Valks, CEO of RABLE Group BV.

About RABLE

RABLE Group BV is an innovative Delft-based scale-up and the producer of a unique self-supporting mounting system for solar panels. Founded in 2019, the company is on a mission to unlock the solar potential of all flat rooftops. With more than fifty projects already completed on weak rooftops, the system is also rapidly being adopted on stronger roofs and parking areas thanks to its quick and efficient installation.
More information: www.rable.com

About the Rotterdam Energy Transition Fund

The Rotterdam Energy Transition Fund is a €100 million investment fund created by the City of Rotterdam to support sustainable growth in scale-ups and large enterprises. Its goal is to reduce CO₂ emissions and raw material use while improving air quality. The fund is managed by InnovationQuarter, the regional development agency for Zuid-Holland.