Stade de Genève generates citizen power
A total of 2100 Genevans have participated in the solar installation on the roof of the Stade de Genève. This is to generate 1 gigawatt hour of electricity per year. The participatory solar power plant has now been inaugurated.
State Councillor Antonio Hodgers inaugurated the participatory solar power plant at the Stade de Genève. The construction of the plant allows 2,100 Geneva residents to participate in the photovoltaic power plant. The new plant produces around 1 GWh and thus makes its contribution to the energy policy of the Canton of Geneva and the Energy Strategy 2050, which was approved by the Geneva population.
Partner voices
"The success of this participatory solar power plant shows that the circular economy works. At SIG's instigation, this participatory financing by our customers creates a virtuous circle for ecological change in this time of climate change," says Christian Brunier, CEO of SIG.
The Stade de Genève uses 100 percent renewable electricity, a third of which is produced on its roof. "We are delighted with the recent resumption of the games at the Stade de Genève, which are now back on fire thanks to the green energy generated on our installations," says Jean-Marc Guinchard, president of the Stade de Genève Foundation.
"Every solar panel is important to face the climatic emergency and enable us to reach the goal of producing 150 GWh of photovoltaic electricity in Geneva by 2025," stresses Antonio Hodgers, State Councillor in charge of the Department for the Territory.
Local energy production is enhanced through smart consumption management. "A smart city is one that produces and consumes responsibly and as locally as possible. It involves citizens and uses digital technology. A participatory solar power project is a concrete example of a smart city," says Patricia Solioz Mathys, Director of Smart City at SIG.
SIG has a fleet of 59 solar power plants that produce nearly 15 GWh, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 5,000 households. SIG thus contributes to achieving the cantonal targets for local renewable energy production.
The participatory formula in Geneva
The inauguration of the participatory solar power plant at the Stade de Genève took place in strict compliance with the health measures recently adopted by the State Council to combat COVID-19. The photovoltaic power plant at the Stade de Genève, which became operational last February, produces 1 GWh per year, equivalent to the annual consumption of 367 Geneva households. It consists of 3,064 solar panels. The stadium consumes 30 percent of the production, while the remaining 70 percent was marketed in a participatory manner through the operation "Mon m2 solaire".
Almost 2,100 Geneva residents have bought shares with it. Each share costs 330 francs and guarantees 100 kWh of solar power per year for 20 years. This makes it possible, for example, to charge an e-bike for a year.
This text has been translated from the French media release
