The Dutch government approved twice as many applications for subsidies for renewable energy in 2008 compared to 2007.

Senter Novem, the agency which implements the economic affairs ministry's renewable energy policy and pays out the subsidies, says that solar panels were particularly popular. About 162,000 applications from businesses and private individuals for subsidies for renewable energy, 'green' innovation and environmental projects were approved.

The substantial increase is mainly due to the expansion of some of the subsidy arrangements, such as for solar energy. Even though the number of approved applications nearly doubled, the total amount that was paid out went up by only 20 percent. The government spent 2.4 million euros on 'green' subsidies, with most of the money going to businesses and entrepreneurs.