The contribution of photovoltaics to the electricity supply in Switzerland is set to increase dramatically. How this can be achieved was a key topic at this year's Swissolar photovoltaic conference.
Impressive figures were announced at the general assembly of Swissolar in Biel last week: in 2022, the addition of new capacity reached more than one gigawatt for the first time. New installations grew by more than 40 percent for the third year in a row.
A central theme of the photovoltaic conference in Switzerland is securing the electricity supply - especially in winter. This is because large-scale alpine plants in particular can make an important contribution in the future. Around 950 participants are live in Bern.
Compared to the previous year, new photovoltaic installations in Switzerland have grown by 43 per cent to a record 683 megawatts. High electricity prices, booming EV sales and the need for a crisis-proof energy supply are driving demand.
A solar power plant will soon be built on the Muttsee dam in the Swiss Alps. It is to deliver similarly high electricity yields in summer and winter. Located at an altitude of 2,500 metres above sea level, the project is a technical and logistical challenge. A practical report:
The additional costs for a solar building envelope compared to conventional construction methods amount to 30 to 50 per cent of the costs for the facade and roof. However, the electricity yield leads to a higher return on investment.
The installed capacity of photovoltaics in Switzerland must increase by a factor of 13 by 2050. Only then can the country switch completely to renewables. What this means has already been highlighted by the industry association Swissolar.
In 2019, the photovoltaics market in Switzerland will have grown by 20 percent year-on-year to an installed capacity of almost 2.5 gigawatts.
