Groenpand is a household name in all sustainable markets. They specialise in making existing buildings more sustainable in order to reduce CO2 emissions in built-up areas. With solar panels, charging stations, green roofs, and heat pumps, they offer a total solution that is far ahead of the competition. Not only do they improve the environment, but also provide information evenings and innovate with the latest and most reliable trends on the market.
A little history
Groenpand was founded in 2014 by Joren and IJmert, two environmental students from Utrecht University who wanted to improve the environment more practically. They saw that you could achieve the most effect by making existing buildings in the built environment more sustainable and started working with solar panels. From standing on the roof yourself to a company with more than 50 employees — the company has grown enormously in 10 years. And this without compromising on their core values. ‘Sustainability and safety are our top priorities’, says Stijnie, ‘This means that even our work clothing is made from sustainable organic cotton and that we pay a lot of attention to the correct use of tools and safer work. It is these core values that from the start have made us a company known for reliability and quality’.
Work is completed in Utrecht and the surrounding area (radius of 50 km) to maintain the sustainable policy. The contacts made with various municipalities and energy corporations are also important. ‘Informing is a very large part of what we do: We regularly organize information evenings for residents, building owners, and energy corporations. Here we provide information about the most up-to-date sustainable energy innovations, and we offer collective purchasing campaigns for municipalities so that entire neighbourhoods can be made more sustainable’.
A complete solution for your home
Beginning with solar panel installations, Groenpand has grown into a company that specializes in making an entire building more sustainable. ‘It’s also really contagious. People start with solar panels and then start thinking – What else can we do? We supply solar panels, charging stations, and heat pumps, and install green roofs. We can also provide green energy and gas for the residual power that your building still needs. Green roofs, in particular, are becoming popular. They improve biodiversity in built-up areas, increase the efficiency of solar panels through their cooling effect, and contribute to the insulation value of the house. In short — a total package that is worth the investment.
Although, making a property more sustainable entails somewhat higher costs, we also see that it can significantly increase the value of your property. A more energy-efficient house with more sustainable materials is, therefore, a popular choice’, says Stijnie. ‘In addition to our own offering, we work with various partners who can make a building even more sustainable by installing HR++ windows, underfloor heating, cavity wall insulation, etc. All from bio-based products as far as possible’.
Projects that we are proud of
‘A while ago, we made a small castle in Loenen aan de Vecht more sustainable. This was a registered monument. This means that you are not actually allowed to change the appearance of the building as this detracts from the historic features of the building. As a solution, we worked on a solar panel construction in which only the invisible inner roofs of the building were fitted with solar panels. Green energy for a historic building’.
From the toolbox
‘Our installers have everything from the DeWalt brand. They have good experience with that. The electricians use the screwdriver every day to drill holes for cable routes, PV distributors, and the inverter. By placing the speed drill on it, they also use it to make the roof penetration, from the outside to the inside, under the roof tiles.
Our technicians on the roof use the impact screwdriver every day to attach the panels. A pro tip from our technicians: Tie your tools to your pants with a cord so you don’t drop them (especially useful if you’re working on a roof!). The better you care for your belongings, the longer they will last. Now that is sustainable as it is!’
