Another 50 percent market growth in photovoltaics
According to the "Solar Energy Statistics" for 2023 published by the SFOE on July 11, the expansion of photovoltaics in Switzerland increased by 51% year-on-year to 1641 megawatts. This is the fourth year in a row with market growth of over 40 percent.
The Swiss photovoltaic market has been on a steep growth trajectory since 2020, with annual growth of over 40%. The trend was reinforced in 2022 by the energy shortage, which led to growth of 58%. Forecasts were also exceeded last year.
Growth in almost all market segments
Newly installed photovoltaic capacity rose by 51 % compared to 2022 to a new record of 1641 megawatts (MW). Per capita, the expansion last year corresponds to an area of 0.9 square meters. The total installed capacity at the end of the year was 6375 MW. Annual production amounted to 4624 gigawatt hours (GWh), which roughly corresponds to the annual consumption of 1.4 million 4-person households or 80 percent of the annual production of both reactors at the Beznau nuclear power plant. The share of solar power production in Switzerland's electricity consumption was 8.25 % in 2023 (2022: 6.76 %). In the current year, solar energy will supply over 10 % of annual demand for the first time. "Solar expansion is currently supplying 2 to 3 percent more of Switzerland's electricity requirements every year. This makes solar power the second mainstay of our electricity supply alongside hydropower. By 2050, solar power will be able to cover 50 % of annual demand despite rising consumption," says Swissolar CEO Matthias Egli.
Increased growth compared to the previous year was recorded in almost all size categories and application areas. Growth was particularly marked in the industrial and commercial sectors (+65 %) and multi-family houses (+59 %). Around 58,000 new systems with an average output of 28.2 kilowatts (12 % more than in the previous year, corresponding to around 140 m2) have been installed. "The trend towards larger systems is very positive. Roofs are increasingly being fully utilized, which means that the price per kilowatt hour produced continues to fall," comments David Stickelberger, Head of Market and Policy at Swissolar.
Three quarters more battery storage systems sold
The number of newly installed battery storage systems increased by 73 % compared to the previous year. The average storage capacity was 14.1 kilowatt hours. 42 % of the new photovoltaic systems on single-family homes were combined with battery storage systems. These are also increasingly being installed in apartment buildings and commercial buildings. The total installed storage capacity at the end of the year was 607,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) - enough to supply 65,000 4-person households with electricity for a day. The new Electricity Act should make the use of battery storage systems even more attractive thanks to the exemption from the grid usage fee from next year.
A global boom
Last year, 447 gigawatts (GW) of photovoltaic capacity were installed worldwide, 87 % more than in the previous year. The main growth driver was China (+167 %), while growth in the rest of the world amounted to 35 %. Last year, 1631 TWh of solar power was produced, which corresponds to the electricity production of 200 nuclear power plants the size of Gösgen. The share of global electricity consumption was 5.5 %. In terms of installed photovoltaic capacity per capita, Switzerland ranks 9th in the world with 711 watts.
Solar thermal sales figures stabilized
After years of decline, sales figures for collector systems for the use of solar heat stabilized (-2 % compared to the previous year). An increase of 17 % was even recorded for single-family homes.
Reliable framework conditions thanks to the Electricity Act
With the Yes vote on the Electricity Act on June 9, an ambitious expansion target for renewable energies was defined and corresponding new instruments were created. These include local electricity communities (LEG), which promote the consumption of solar power in the district, the exemption of battery storage systems from grid fees and the uniformly regulated purchase remuneration for electricity supplied to the grid. However, the success of these instruments depends heavily on the specific form of the ordinances, which will not be known until November. Clear improvements are needed compared to the consultation process: The LEG need a higher discount on the grid fee and the minimum purchase remuneration must create more planning security for investors in view of falling electricity prices. In addition, grid operators must be made more accountable by means of long-term purchase agreements for domestic electricity from new renewable energies.
Large-scale Alpine plants: Not yet in the statistics
Apart from smaller projects on dam walls, major Alpine solar projects are only in the planning phase. Two projects have recently been legally approved (SedrunSolar, Vorab) and others are likely to follow shortly. For the grid connection of 10 % of the planned capacity by 2025 required according to "Solarexpress", time is too short for many projects, which is why Swissolar is in favor of an extension. In addition, the approval procedures for power lines must also be accelerated.
Need for skilled workers: New apprenticeships as an important step
For the current year, Swissolar is forecasting photovoltaic expansion of around 1800 MW (+10 %). Growth is being held back by factors including uncertainty regarding the new political framework conditions, the renewed fall in electricity prices and the continued high demand for skilled workers. The new apprenticeships for solar installers EFZ and solar technicians EBA, which will start for the first time in August 2024, have therefore come at the right time.
Source: www.swissolar.ch
