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The start-up Rable has developed a plug-and-play solar panel system. It can be laid and connected by itself.

The RABLE2go can be laid on flat roofs. Weights keep the panels from blowing away. | Credit: Rable

Installing solar panels is usually a job for professionals. The panels must be attached to the roof, an inverter installed in the house and a group added in the meter box. Dutch company Rable has developed a solar panel system that makes this unnecessary. Consumers can put the panels on their roofs themselves and connect them by plugging in a power outlet.

Rable is a start-up with roots at TU Delft. At the request of the business community, a self-supporting and folding construction system was developed at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. This is placed on company roofs with too little load-bearing capacity for standard solar panels. Change Inc. wrote an article about this last year.

Ikea package

The RABLE2go, as the new product is called, is aimed at the consumer market. "We were inspired by Ikea," says Erik Valks, CEO of Rable. The substructure and solar panels come as a do-it-yourself package and can be installed on almost any flat roof. Installation involves unfolding a steel frame and screwing the solar panels in place. Weights keep them from blowing away when a storm hits.

"A product with a plug is allowed to produce a maximum of 600 watt peak. That's why our system consists of two solar panels," Valks explains. Power is limited by the inverter that comes with the system. Out of that comes an ordinary electricity cable that fits into the wall socket. However, there must be a connection point outside, or the cable must be routed inside.

Among other things, the plug-and-play system is suitable for vacation homes - the panels provide ample power for appliances that are always on, such as refrigerators. Valks also sees opportunities in the purchase price (you buy a set for 880 euros) to make solar panels accessible to people with smaller budgets. "This is the most approachable way of installing solar panels. The fact that there is no electrician and installer involved reduces the price."

International ambitions

Rable is currently only active in the Dutch market, but sees opportunities in France and Sweden. The company will enter those markets this year. From the Rabo Impact Fund, the start-up received a donation in November to further develop their system for on company roofs.

France has required by law that all large parking lots be covered with solar panels. Rable's lightweight construction allows large canopies to be built more cheaply. Sweden has many roofs that are well-insulated, and therefore top-heavy. There, too, the company thinks it can gain traction.

Read more:

  • A weak roof AND solar panels? This Delft start-up has the solution

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