This is how photovoltaics is to become the mainstay of Swiss energy supply

On January 27, 2022, the Energy Commission of the Council of States began deliberations on the Federal Law on a Secure Supply of Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources (jacket decree). In the view of Swissolar, the umbrella organization of the solar energy industry, the target values for electricity production from renewable energies provided for in the Federal Council's dispatch on this law are set too low to achieve security of supply on the one hand and the net zero target in 2050 on the other. Instead of 39 terawatt hours (TWh) of production in 2050, 50 TWh should be targeted, of which 45 TWh will come from photovoltaic systems. This value corresponds to less than half of the solar potential in Switzerland.

Create conditions for faster expansion

An 11-point program published by Swissolar describes how this goal can be achieved. "Solar energy will provide electricity in Switzerland in large quantities - renewable, timely and cost-effective. However, for this transition to succeed, we need to build more and faster," says Jürg Grossen, president of Swissolar. But construction measures are only one aspect. Swissolar's demands go further. Directly related to the jacket decree, for example, is the demand for an increase in the grid surcharge of 0.5 centimes per kilowatt hour, as well as a uniformly regulated purchase remuneration, which is based on the market price, but at the same time has a lower limit.

More incentives for photovoltaic systems

Also to be considered in this law, according to Swissolar, are the proposals for optimal integration of photovoltaics into the electricity grids. With local energy communities, as they already exist in other European countries, incentives would be set for the construction of PV systems with local self-consumption - without additional subsidies and without the need for expensive grid expansions. In addition, tariff incentives should be created to regulate flexibilities at the grid connection point in order to avoid overloads. Booming electromobility will play a crucial role here: The available daily storage capacity in electric cars will be greater than the current daily production of all Swiss nuclear power plants. The power that can be flexibly switched on and off at any time will be up to ten times greater than that of today's nuclear power plants. In order to exploit this potential, the technical standards and political framework conditions must be adapted quickly.

Even more solar power could be produced

The other proposed measures relate to spatial planning (simplification of approval practices, including for ground-mounted systems), the education and training of specialists, Switzerland's participation in the reconstruction of a European solar industry, and the reduction of unnecessary additional costs and administrative barriers. The cantons are also addressed: Already 18 cantons have introduced mandatory self-supply of electricity for new buildings, which creates a strong incentive for the construction of photovoltaic systems. More electricity could be produced on the roofs and facades of existing buildings (approx. 66 TWh) than Switzerland currently consumes. Swissolar therefore proposes to introduce an obligation to use all suitable surfaces on new buildings and renovations in all cantons.

The 11 measures

1. Clear and binding targets for renewable energies

2. Creating professional opportunities in the solar industry

3. Solar components from Switzerland and Europe

4. Increase in network surcharge and acceleration of one-off payment

5. Clear and uniform regulation of the purchase price throughout Switzerland

6. Solar obligations for new construction and renovation

7. Removing spatial planning hurdles

8. Reduction of additional costs and bureaucracy

9. Local energy communities

10. Designing grid capacities dynamically, incorporating electromobility

11. Tariff structures/network usage charge

Source: Swissolar