At Ecorus, our people are the heart of everything we do. In this series, we shine a spotlight on our Ecorians: the pioneers, thinkers, and doers working every day to create a more sustainable world. Their stories offer a behind-the-scenes look at how we tackle challenges, drive innovation, and create impact. It’s a testament to how We Know How comes to life, bringing us closer to a future powered entirely by clean, renewable energy.
‘If you want something, you don’t sit still.’
This motto defines Frans’ approach to both life and his work at Ecorus. As Ecorus’ first employee in the Netherlands, Frans has played a crucial role in shaping the company’s growth. Starting with nothing but an idea, he’s been a driving force behind many successful projects.
It all began in 2014 in Den Helder, where Frans was involved in a local initiative to provide tenants with access to solar energy. The concept was simple: even those with smaller budgets should be able to benefit from solar panels. When Ecorus from Belgium joined the project, Frans was asked to establish Ecorus’ presence in the Netherlands.
“I thought, why not? I already had experience building companies and believed solar energy was the future”, Frans recalls.
A pioneer at heart
With just an idea in hand, Frans got to work. The first Dutch office was his kitchen table, where he tirelessly worked to convince housing corporations of the benefits of solar energy. His efforts paid off: within a year, 100 homes were equipped with solar panels, and that number quickly grew to thousands. At the same time, Frans spearheaded Zonnepark Heldair 1, one of the first solar parks in the Netherlands, and laid the groundwork for the 100-hectare nature-inclusive solar park, Fledderbosch.
“We were true pioneers”, says Frans. “It was all about being visible, building relationships, and staying persistent.”
The sector then and now
The solar energy landscape has evolved dramatically over the past decade. “In 2014, solar parks were rare. Today, nearly every municipality has policies for ground-mounted projects”, Frans explains. But with growth comes new challenges, particularly with the electricity grid struggling to accommodate the influx of renewable energy. “We’re generating more renewable energy than ever, but sometimes there’s no room to distribute it. It’s a clear sign there’s still much to do.”
Public opinion has also shifted. While solar parks were once seen as unequivocal progress, concerns now arise about their impact on the landscape. “It’s crucial to design solar parks that blend with their surroundings and provide broader value”, Frans says. He sees innovations like agrivoltaics – combining solar panels with agriculture – as promising solutions. “Solar parks can enhance biodiversity and support farming. They don’t have to serve a single purpose.”
Stronger together
Collaboration is at the core of Frans’ philosophy. His other motto, ‘Alone you go faster, together you go further’, reflects both his working style and Ecorus’ culture. “Ecorus is a place where you’re encouraged to develop your ideas. Good plans are taken seriously, and that drives continuous innovation”, Frans explains.
A sustainable mission
For Frans, his work goes beyond technical and innovative solutions. It’s about leaving the world in a better place. “I want my children and grandchildren to benefit from a cleaner future. That’s my motivation”, he says. He emphasizes that solar projects should serve both the community and the environment. Co-ownership, biodiversity, and participation are critical to success. “A project is only successful when it meets the needs of the local community.”
Coming full circle
In 2018, after four intense years, Frans decided to take a step back. During this time, he worked on local initiatives and helped others realize their sustainable ambitions. But in 2021, he returned to Ecorus at the request of co-founder Philippe Vanhoef. “Ecorus has everything needed to make solar projects successful. Coming back felt like the right decision”, Frans says.
Not ready to retire
At 64, Frans isn’t thinking about retirement anytime soon. On the contrary, he’s focused on passing his knowledge to the next generation at Ecorus. “I want to leave something behind – not just in projects, but in people. Together, we’ll continue building a sustainable future.”
Would you like to contribute to a sustainable future, with innovation and collaboration at its core? Explore our job openings in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany and let’s build a cleaner, brighter future together.
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