Tag: Erneuerbare Energien

Energy generation and cooling: façades at the centre of research

HSLU researchers have explored the potential for greenery and solar panels on building façades in the GreenPV project. “While the benefits of PV systems and greenery are already being increasingly utilised on roofs, they have largely not been used on façades to date,” HSLU researcher Silvia Domingo is quoted as saying in a press release issued by the university about the project. However, they could contribute to closing the gap in winter electricity, among other things. This is because “the energy yield of a PV system is higher on a south-facing façade in the winter months than on a roof due to the low angle of inclination of the sun caused by the season”, explains Domingo.

In addition to their cooling effect, green façades also contribute to biodiversity and the reduction of sound propagation. Air quality is also improved through the binding of pollutants and the production of oxygen. According to the HSLU researchers, greenery and photovoltaics (PV) can be combined well on façades. “PV comes into its own where a high level of energy generation is possible, i.e. on an unshaded façade on the upper floors,” says Domingo. Greenery, on the other hand, should be installed on the lower storeys and in inner courtyards.

The authors have identified financing and a lack of guidelines and experience as obstacles for building owners. The appearance of a façade completely clad in black solar panels is also not to everyone’s taste. For this reason, the HSLU has already tested alternative colours and textures in another project.

September 2024
New white paper: ‘Energy storage systems for properties: Using renewable energy efficiently’

Link to the whitepaper

Switzerland is aiming for a target of net zero by 2050. This means replacing fossil-based energies with renewables. However, the output from systems is dependent on weather conditions, the time of day, and the season. Getting supply and demand in sync calls for storage solutions. This also improves the property’s carbon footprint, because it requires less oil or gas to cover peak loads.

Electricity storage systems: battery-powered flexibility
Battery storage systems can temporarily store surplus solar power locally and supply household consumers, electric vehicles or the heat pump later on. This significantly increases the level of self-consumption and with it the cost-efficiency of solar power plants. Not only the operator benefits from a storage system – the electricity grid does as well. This means, for example, that when a solar power plant produces a surplus, it doesn’t have to be shut off for fear of overloading the grid. And in the reverse scenario – when demand outstrips supply – locally stored energy can help cover peak loads, which stabilises the grid and keeps costs low. Currently the standard means of electricity storage is the lithium-ion battery, while alternatives such as sodium-ion batteries and salt batteries have yet to become established. This also applies to bidirectional charging, in which the battery of an electric vehicle is used for local electricity storage.

Heat storage units: geothermal probes and containers
One alternative to storing surplus solar power is to transform it into thermal energy. Heat can be stored over weeks or months and used later for heating and hot water supply as required. This makes heat storage a great fit with renewable heating systems such as heat pumps and thermal networks. And some types of storage system can be used as heat sinks in summer to cool buildings with minimal use of energy. The most common storage types in Switzerland are geothermal heat storage units and container heat storage units. One interesting variant that requires less space is ice storage.

Hydrogen and methane: seasonal storage
Another way to store surplus solar power seasonally is to transform it into a carbon-neutral gas like hydrogen or methane (‘power-to-gas’). If required, the gas can be used either to produce heat and electricity or as a fuel for vehicles. Hydrogen is produced through the electrolysis of water, and the degree of efficiency in this transformation is up to 80 per cent. Transforming it further into methane has the advantage that it can be stored in the natural gas grid, so it doesn’t require separate infrastructure. The overall degree of efficiency depends on the method used, but with a current best-case result of 50 to 70 per cent, it is not yet cost-effective.

You can find much more information and real-life examples in the new ewz white paper ‘Energy storage systems for properties: Using renewable energy efficiently’.

September 2024
Canton of Zurich wants to make solar systems mandatory on large roofs

“To ensure a secure electricity supply in Switzerland and to achieve the goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, electricity production from local renewable energies must be rapidly and significantly expanded,” says the State Chancellery of the Canton of Zurich in a press release on a planned partial revision of the Energy Act. Specifically, the canton of Zurich wants to make the installation of solar systems on suitable roofs with an area of 300 square metres or more mandatory. The canton estimates that this would allow around 60 per cent of a total annual potential of 6 terawatt hours of solar power from roofs to be exploited.

The installation of solar systems on large roofs should be mandatory for both new and existing buildings. Existing buildings may be retrofitted when the roof is renovated, but by 2040 at the latest. The requirement should also only apply “if the solar installation is economical over its entire service life”. The corresponding bill has been submitted for consultation until the end of November.

In addition to the obligation for solar systems, the partial revision provides for the promotion of technologies for seasonal energy storage. This is to be funded by a subsidy fund managed by the electricity grid operators, which will be financed by a levy of a maximum of 0.5 centimes per kilowatt hour of electricity. Competitive tenders are planned, from which projects with the most winter electricity per subsidised franc will benefit, as well as support for seasonal storage technologies that are still under development.

September 2024
Green hydrogen: Study identifies Canada as a top location

Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute(PSI) have focussed on the question of where hydrogen can be produced efficiently and cost-effectively with the aim of stopping climate change and emitting no more greenhouse gases in the future. According to a press release, the researchers have compiled geographical and economic data and forecasts to describe the development of a hydrogen economy. To do so, they analysed four scenarios with a hydrogen demand of between 111 and 614 megatonnes per year. The study can currently be read in the scientific journal “Nature Communications“.

There are various technologies for producing hydrogen. In polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis (PEM), hydrogen is extracted from water in an electrolyser. The great advantage of this process is that the energy for the conversion can be obtained from green electricity. The question to be resolved is where the high demand for green electricity can best be met.

“We primarily applied economic criteria,” says Tom Terlouw, PhD student at PSI and lead author of the study, quoted in the press release. “In other words, where is production most favourable?” Two focal points crystallised: Where is there enough wind or sun to cover the enormous demand for green electricity? And where is there enough free space to set up the plants required for production? Canada proved to be ideal here. “There are many open areas there that are very windy and therefore ideal for setting up wind turbines,” adds Terlouw. The central USA, parts of Australia, the Sahara, northern China and north-west Europe are also ideal locations. Central European countries such as Switzerland, on the other hand, are less suitable as there is neither open space nor sufficient sunlight. The researchers also point out that the production of green hydrogen still generates residual greenhouse gas emissions from the production and transport of the required materials. In order to compensate for these residual emissions, corresponding quantities of carbon dioxide would have to be filtered out of the atmosphere, according to the study.

August 2024
Purchasing organisation generates its own electricity in St.Gallen

The purchasing organisation of the Swiss automotive and motor vehicle industry(ESA) has completed its own power supply network with a third system, according to a press release. On Thursday, 15 August, a photovoltaic system was put into operation at the ESA site in St.Gallen. ESA launched the first two systems at its headquarters in Burgdorf four months ago and in Giubiasco a month ago.

With around 1,800 modules and around 3,500 square metres, the photovoltaic system in St.Gallen is currently ESA’s second-largest system. The amount of electricity generated in future will roughly cover the annual consumption of 150 households. The plant in Burgdorf covers 200 households, the one in Giubiasco around 25 households.

The ESA purchasing organisation was founded in 1930. As a co-operative, it is owned by around 7000 co-owners from the automotive and motor vehicle industry. Around 670 employees, including around 60 apprentices, work at eleven locations throughout Switzerland.

August 2024
Emissions from heating oil and gas are falling

In Switzerland, emissions from fuels fell significantly in 2023 compared to the previous year, namely by 8.8 per cent. The different cold winter months were converted to average weather conditions. Compared to 1990, these emissions were 41.7 per cent lower. This is shown in the recently published CO2 statistics for 2023, which are published annually by the Federal Office for the Environment(FOEN).

According to its press release, this decrease is mainly due to the improved energy efficiency of buildings and the increased use of renewable energies for heating. In particular, gas consumption has fallen significantly for the second year in a row.

In contrast, CO2 emissions caused by fuels such as petrol and diesel remained the same as in the previous year. Compared to 1990, emissions have fallen by 5.2 per cent. According to the data, the fact that they did not rise again after the pandemic, i.e. after 2022, is partly due to the change in mobility behaviour that began at that time: more working from home and fewer business trips. On the other hand, the FOEN also cites the growing share of electromobility as a reason for this. The share of biogenic fuels in total fuel consumption has risen slightly from 3.4 per cent to 3.6 per cent.

July 2024
Paradigm shift in energy planning

Numerous countries have committed to being climate-neutral by 2050. For building and energy systems, this requires a rapid transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies and greater networking of different sectors. Buildings, mobility, industry, electricity, heat and synthetic fuels must interact and be planned in an integrated manner. Matthias Sulzer from Empa and Michael Wetter from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory argue that the current planning processes do not do justice to this complexity and that a paradigm shift is therefore necessary.

Current planning process – a silo mentality
Today’s planning processes are organised by discipline, which leads to inefficient and suboptimal results. Engineers and architects work one after the other instead of collaborating across disciplines. This linear, “waterfall” approach leaves little room for iteration and optimisation in the overall system. Sulzer emphasises that this approach is no longer sufficient to meet the requirements of future, flexible energy systems.

Inspiration from the chip industry
Sulzer and Wetter propose a planning approach inspired by the chip industry. The electronics and computer scientist Alberto Sangiovanni-Vincentelli has revolutionised chip manufacturing with his “platform-based design”. This concept uses different levels of abstraction for the holistic analysis and optimisation of systems and creates universally valid, modularly combinable models. This model could also be applied to building and energy systems in order to automate and modularise planning.

Advantages of a model-based planning process
A model-based planning process would mean that models are used not only to analyse, but also to specify and build systems. These blueprints could be combined in a modular way to clearly define the design and functionality of a system. This would revolutionise planning, construction and operating processes and promote the necessary digitalisation and automation to achieve the ambitious decarbonisation targets.

Pilot project at Empa
The EU project GOES, led by Empa, is a first step towards the application of platform-based design in the energy sector. A pilot plant with 144 geothermal probes is being developed on the Empa campus in Dübendorf as the first application of this concept. The aim is to define the various abstraction levels of decision-making and to standardise the interfaces.

The implementation of an automated and modular planning process is crucial for achieving climate neutrality by 2050, and Sulzer and Wetter are convinced that this paradigm shift will significantly increase the flexibility and efficiency of energy systems. The approach offers a promising solution to meet the challenges of decarbonisation and ensure security of supply.

June 2024
Insolight launches first agrivoltaic plant in France

Insolight, a Lausanne-based company specialising in agrivoltaic solutions, has put its first agrivoltaic system into operation in France. According to a press release, the photovoltaic greenhouse for strawberry production is located on the agricultural estate La ferme Etchélécu in Sames in the French department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques.

The facility with 15,000 strawberry plants covers 3,000 square metres with semi-transparent photovoltaic panels and dynamic shading screens. This regulates the light transmission: if the light is channelled past the solar cells, it benefits the growth of the plants. When the light rays are optically focussed on the solar cells, on the other hand, electricity is generated.

With an installed capacity of 190 kilowatts, around 260 megawatt hours of clean energy can be generated, which is enough to supply around 50 households, according to the press release. “By combining solar technology and agriculture, we enable producers to contribute to the energy transition and sustainable agriculture while meeting their energy needs,” Mathieu Ackermann, Technical Director of Insolight, is quoted as saying.

According to the owners of the farm, Jacques and Nathalie Etchélécu, the Insolight solution makes it possible to have shading screens that allow two additional months per year for strawberry production.

In addition to the construction of renewable energy production facilities and a catalogue of crop protection options, Insolight offers complete solutions, from project development and administrative support to water recovery systems, ad hoc business models and fruit recovery, according to the company press release.

June 2024
Mast measures wind data for Grotwind wind farm

Planning for the Grotwind wind farm is entering the next phase. A measuring mast is currently being erected on the Grot in the municipality of Pfäfers. According to a press release, this is equipped with anemometers and weather sensors at heights of 57, 69 and 80 metres. These will continuously record wind and weather data such as wind strength and direction, turbulence, humidity and air pressure for twelve months. Ultrasonic sensors will also be installed at 69 metres to record the sounds of passing bats.

The data will help to define the appropriate wind turbines, their number and their optimal placement. They will also help to determine site-specific shutdown algorithms. The aim is to minimise the impact of the planned wind farm on humans, animals and the environment.

The wind farm is being planned by St.Gallisch-Appenzellische Kraftwerke, SN Energie and the specially founded Grotwind GmbH based in Quarten SG. It will produce electricity for 5000 households.

May 2024
ETH researchers generate very high temperatures with new technology

Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich(ETH) have developed a technology known as a thermal trap that absorbs sunlight and can thus achieve very high temperatures. According to a press release, they have succeeded in reaching temperatures of over a thousand degrees Celsius using this method. These high temperatures are required for the production of cement, metals and various chemicals in energy-intensive industrial processes. The team led by Emiliano Casati, a scientist in the Energy and Process Systems Engineering Group, and Aldo Steinfeld, Professor of Renewable Energy Sources, developed this system, the main component of which is a quartz rod. When this is irradiated with intense light, it is converted into heat with only minimal heat loss. Previous experiments of this kind with thermal traps reached a temperature of 170 degrees Celsius. Solar power plants usually operate at temperatures of up to 600 degrees Celsius.

The researchers’ aim is to one day be able to use the method for the decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries. “To combat climate change, we need to decarbonise energy in general,” Emiliano Casati is quoted as saying in the press release. “People often think of energy only in terms of electricity, but we actually consume around half of our energy in the form of heat.” The current experimental study was published in the specialist journal “Device”. Further analyses, including on the economic viability of this technology, are being planned.

May 2024
Innovative technology for utilising sunlight for high temperatures

Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich(ETH) have developed a technology known as a thermal trap that absorbs sunlight and can thus achieve very high temperatures. According to a press release, they have succeeded in reaching temperatures of over a thousand degrees Celsius using this method. These high temperatures are required for the production of cement, metals and various chemicals in energy-intensive industrial processes. The team led by Emiliano Casati, a scientist in the Energy and Process Systems Engineering Group, and Aldo Steinfeld, Professor of Renewable Energy Sources, developed this system, the main component of which is a quartz rod. When this is irradiated with intense light, it is converted into heat with only minimal heat loss. Previous experiments of this kind with thermal traps reached a temperature of 170 degrees Celsius. Solar power plants usually operate at temperatures of up to 600 degrees Celsius.

The researchers’ aim is to one day be able to use the method for the decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries. “To combat climate change, we need to decarbonise energy in general,” Emiliano Casati is quoted as saying in the press release. “People often think of energy only in terms of electricity, but we actually consume around half of our energy in the form of heat.” The current experimental study was published in the specialist journal “Device”. Further analyses, including on the economic viability of this technology, are being planned.

May 2024
“Fischermätteli” first site with Minergie certificate

The innovative and long-term residential construction project Fischermätteli was successfully completed by Strüby Unternehmungen in autumn 2023 after a staggered construction period of around three and a half years. The ten apartment blocks with a total of 168 condominiums were built on a former commercial site in Burgdorf BE. Over 6600 m3 of Swiss wood was used in the construction, which serves as a natural CO2 reservoir and has an excellent ecological footprint thanks to the short transport routes.

One hundred per cent of the energy requirements for the entire site are covered by renewable sources. The electricity comes from the PV systems on the roofs of the buildings, while the heat for heating and hot water comes from a heating centre that runs on Swiss pellets. The well thought-out mobility concept is based on electric mobility, car sharing, bicycles and public transport. A co-working space supports working from home and thus indirectly relieves traffic congestion. In addition, the environmental design based on the sponge city principle ensures natural and efficient cooling in summer and turns the project into a true biodiversity hotspot thanks to the wide variety of native plants.

Label with high requirements
In April 2024, the largest real estate project to date was awarded the coveted certificate by the Minergie association: the Minergie-Areal label, having already been awarded the Minergie-A-ECO label. The new standard, which has been in place since September 2023, is supported by various organisations such as the Minergie Association, the cantons, the business community and the Swiss Federal Office of Energy. The Minergie site is characterised by minimal energy consumption, minimised greenhouse gas emissions during construction and operation and maximum self-sufficiency with renewable energies. The buildings have particularly efficient heat insulation and controlled air exchange. In addition, the outdoor space of the Minergie site is designed in such a way that climate resilience and quality of stay are increased, for example through green planting and shading options. Another advantage of the Minergie site is the promotion of climate-friendly mobility.

The development in Burgdorf BE sets new standards in timber construction for flats. With 168 owner-occupied flats in ten apartment blocks, it is the largest construction project of its kind to combine Swiss timber and the Minergie-A-ECO standard. Sustainability aspects were at the centre of the project right from the start, which earned it the first Minergie-Areal certificate for a completed project.

Thanks to the elegant timber façades, the ensemble blends in perfectly with its natural surroundings. The clearly defined meeting and play zones with village charm promote relationships between the residents. At the same time, the architecture ensures privacy and creates living spaces with ideal air, light and sound characteristics. Community-enhancing elements such as a spacious communal pavilion and the professional home office zone “fm produktiv” round off the offer.

The flats offer 2.5 to 5.5 rooms and are designed for singles, couples and families of all ages. The floor plans are flexibly designed so that they can be adapted to future needs. From the ground floor upwards, the building was constructed using timber elements.

The energy supply is consistently based on renewable sources. The electricity for the approximately 400 residents comes from the PV systems on the roofs of the apartment blocks (700 MWh/year). Heat is generated in a heating centre using Swiss wood pellets.

The mobility concept focuses on cycling, public transport, electric vehicles and car sharing. Bicycle stands, charging stations, repair and cleaning areas are available. Residents can also use one of the two electric cars from the neighbourhood’s own car-sharing scheme via an app or conveniently use the bus, which runs every half hour from the neighbourhood to Burgdorf. Demand for the condominiums and rental flats was very high right from the start. All 168 flats were sold or rented months before completion. The fair sales and rental prices certainly contributed to the great success, e.g. a flat with 4.5 rooms was already available from CHF 610,000 (minus Minergie subsidies from the Canton of Berne).

May 2024
Basel region becomes a hub for hydrogen

H2-HUB Switzerland, a business association based in Basel and founded in February, wants to turn the Basel region into a hydrogen hub for the country. According to a press release, green hydrogen is to be produced using solar, water and wind energy and distributed throughout Switzerland. This should support the goal of making Switzerland climate-neutral.

“The EU has been driving forward the development of a hydrogen economy for years,” said Dirk Mulzer, COO of Industrielle Werke Basel(IWB), in the press release. “Funding programmes have already been initiated throughout Europe. Switzerland must not miss the boat.”

In February 2024, IWB, the petrol station operator Fritz Meyer AG/AVIA, GETEC, Port of Switzerland, the energy company VARO and the Basel Chamber of Commerce therefore founded the H2-HUB Switzerland association in Basel. The aim of the association is to develop the Rhine ports of Muttenz BL and Birsfelden BL as a centre for the production, import and distribution of hydrogen for Switzerland.

May 2024
Solstis offers photovoltaics throughout Switzerland

Solstis, a photovoltaic company based in Solothurn, is now offering its services throughout Switzerland. According to a press release, BKW Building Solutions intends to expand its commitment to renewable energies from western Switzerland to the whole country under this brand. With this expansion, BKW Buildings Solutions aims to increase its installed capacity in German-speaking Switzerland to 75 megawatts over the next two years, which corresponds to a doubling of its current capacity offering. The services will focus on the private and business customer sector, where BKW will provide the financing and Solstis the installation.

The Energy Centre of ISP Electro Solutions will also operate under the Solstis brand, a spin-off of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne(EPFL).

“Renewable energies are a focal point of our strategy and make a decisive contribution to the implementation of the Energy Strategy 2050. Photovoltaics is an important piece of the puzzle towards more sustainable infrastructures,” Antonin Guez, CEO of BKW Building Solutions, is quoted as saying in the press release.

April 2024
Infomaniak backs Meyer Burger

After achieving economic independence,Infomaniak also wants to become self-sufficient in terms of renewable energies, the Geneva-based web technology developer announced in a press release. “We want to install a new solar power plant every year in order to cover 50 per cent of our annual electricity consumption ourselves by 2030,” Boris Siegenthaler, founder and strategic director of Infomaniak, is quoted as saying. Infomaniak is working with the internationally active solar manufacturer Meyer Burger from Thun to realise its plans.

As a first step, Infomaniak has commissioned two solar plants from Meyer Burger with a total of 1085 modules. They produce around 400,000 kilowatt hours of solar power per year, which is consumed directly at Infomaniak. A further system with 364 modules is planned for this year.

Meyer Burger has the modules developed in Switzerland manufactured at its plant in southern Germany. Compared to modules manufactured in Asia, they have a significantly lower CO2 footprint due to short transport routes, a local supply chain and production using only renewable energy. “Generating solar energy in our latitudes with Asian solar modules makes no sense these days in terms of efficiency and carbon footprint,” says Siegenthaler. He points out that mineral resources have to be extracted for import and production. “That’s why local manufacturers should be favoured who keep their impact as low as possible.”

April 2024
Accelleron gets electricity from the roof in Baden

According to a press release, Accelleron Industries AG has inaugurated the city’s largest photovoltaic system at its headquarters in Baden in the presence of Mayor Markus Schneider. The system was put into operation in December. It is spread across four roofs of company buildings with 2533 modules and a capacity of 1 megawatt peak output and is expected to produce around 1 gigawatt hour per year. According to the company, this corresponds to the annual energy requirements of 400 households or 150 journeys around the world in an electric car. Accelleron now covers 10 per cent of its annual electricity requirements in Baden with green energy, the statement continues.

“As a leading company in the turbocharger industry, Accelleron is committed to decarbonisation and is making a positive contribution to sustainability,” said Herbert Müller, President of Accelleron’s High Speed Division and Co-Managing Director of the subsidiary Turbo Systems Switzerland. With this project, Accelleron Switzerland is playing a pioneering role in the use of renewable energies, Müller continued. Markus Schneider was the guest of honour at the inauguration ceremony. “I would like to thank Accelleron as an important Baden-based company for this commitment to renewable energies. This is exactly the kind of project we need on the roofs of companies in Baden,” Schneider is quoted as saying.

According to the company press release, it took less than eight months from the internal project approval to the commissioning of the plant in December 2023. Although the project is still in an early operating phase, important insights have already been gained, such as the effects of snow conditions on electricity production with solar installations, according to Accelleron.

March 2024
A total of 5 million roofs are suitable for generating electricity

More than half of Switzerland’s total roof area – 5 million roofs in total – is suitable for the installation of solar/photovoltaic systems. According to a press release from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne(EPFL), this is the result of a doctoral thesis on the expansion of solar installations in Switzerland. As a result, more than two thirds of Swiss cities and municipalities could become energy self-sufficient.

As part of her doctoral thesis, Alina Walch analysed the potential of renewable energy systems. In collaboration with Martin Rüdisüli, an expert in energy system modelling at the Swiss Federal Laboratoriesfor Materials Science and Technology(Empa) in Dübendorf ZH, she developed and compared two scenarios for the expansion of photovoltaics in Switzerland in order to achieve or even exceed the targets of Energy Strategy 2050.

“We carried out the research together, with me contributing my knowledge of photovoltaic modelling and Martin Rüdisüli contributing his experience in evaluating various scenarios for the expansion of this form of energy as part of the energy transition,” Walch is quoted as saying.

The two strategies analysed were the preference for large flat roofs, for example on industrial buildings, and a balanced generation of electricity by installing solar cells on the roofs of all residential buildings. Walch’s conclusion: “The best option is a compromise between the two strategies – one that utilises the potential of both industrial and residential roofs.”

As part of its Energy Strategy 2050, the federal government is aiming for a rapid expansion of solar/photovoltaic systems. the aim is to generate 35 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity from renewable energies (excluding hydropower) by 2035 and 45 TWh by 2050.

February 2024
Canton of Lucerne wants to accelerate the expansion of renewables

The cantonal government of Lucerne has presented its draft legislation on the expansion of electricity production from renewable energies. The amendment to the Cantonal Energy Act provides for better utilisation of roof surfaces to generate solar power.

According to a press release, new buildings will no longer be required to generate only a portion of the electricity they require themselves, but will have to “adequately utilise” the electricity generation potential of the roof surface. Electricity generation requirements are also proposed for existing buildings, as they in particular have “immense potential for electricity generation”.

This is in the interest of a rapid expansion of locally produced renewable energy, according to District President Fabian Peter: This will “not only enable us to achieve our climate targets, but also increase our energy supply security”. After all, photovoltaic systems on roofs in the canton could generate a total of 2.4 terawatt hours of solar power. According to the figures, this is more than double the current electricity consumption of all private households.

Photovoltaic systems will now also be allowed to be installed on another roof within a certain group of buildings, for example on stables, haylofts, commercial buildings or school grounds. This is the government council’s response to a frequently expressed concern from the public consultation. This took place from 15 December to 6 April 2023.

The majority agreed with the general thrust, objectives and principles of the new regulations. This amendment to the Cantonal Energy Act is expected to be on the agenda for the upcoming May session of the Cantonal Council.

February 2024
The Swiss are in favour of the rapid expansion of renewable energies

“Electricity and heat from domestic and sustainable sources is increasingly important to Swiss people,” says Patrick Drack, Managing Director of STIEBEL ELTRON Switzerland. “Our survey shows that even if wind turbines and solar collectors may detract from the landscape, a very clear majority of 79 percent accepts their operation.”

The opportunities of the energy turnaround
From the point of view of the population, the energy turnaround offers a wide range of opportunities – especially with regard to the aspect of economic efficiency: sustainable technologies are growth markets of the future according to the Swiss (82 percent). The country can become more competitive as a result, think 76 percent. In their own homes, 85 percent are convinced that switching to modern heating technology can maintain or increase the value of the property. “The heat pump is clearly the heating technology of the future,” says Drack. “The switch to renewables in private households is an important contribution to the energy transition.”

Thepopulation wants information
According to the survey, about two-thirds of the Swiss would like to switch to such an environmentally friendly heating system in order to protect the climate and become less dependent on imported energy. To support this, however, the population would like to see more accessible information on how to approach the energy transition. In concrete terms, this also refers to the rather complicated applications for federal and cantonal subsidies. “The building programme is intended to provide financial support for private households to switch to climate-friendly heating technology,” Drack explains. “Energy advice is extremely helpful in this regard.”

June 2023