Solar panels installed in the country last year produced an additional gigawatt of electricity, the equivalent of that produced by the Gösgen nuclear power plant in canton Solothurn. “An annual increase of two gigawatts is soon realistic,” Thomas Nordmann, head of the Swiss Energy-Charts platform, told the SonntagsBlick.
Since the Swiss parliament approved the solar offensive bill in September to speed up the construction of solar energy parks , there’s been a race to find space in the sun. The bill reduces the hurdles for construction of big mountain solar projects – including strict environmental regulations – and offers generous subsidies.
More
Debate
Hosted by:
Simon Bradley
What do you think about solar farms in the Swiss Alps?
Building large solar parks in high-mountain regions is controversial. Join the discussion.
There are at least four solar parks in the works, all of which are in canton Valais. Another will be presented on Monday. Based on researchExternal link by Le Matin Dimanche, there are 25-30 projects under discussion in the country with about a dozen of them in concrete stages.
Parliament wants the Alpine solar parks to contribute 2,000 gigawatt hours (gWh) per year by the end of 2025. The total annual Swiss electricity consumption is some 58,000 gWh. Hydro-electric plants are the motor of electricity production in the country, contributing about 60%; solar made up 6% of production in 2021.
More
More
Mountaintop solar farms spark tensions in Switzerland
This content was published on
Building large solar parks in high-mountain regions is arguably an effective way to produce more power in winter. But it remains highly controversial.
Some projects are arousing opposition though. Le Matin Dimanche reported that Vera Weber, president of the Franz Weber foundation, is opposed to solar park projects in the Alps, arguing they go against land use planning and environmental protection. “It’s completely absurd to want to destroy nature to supposedly save it when there are so many other solutions,” she told the paper.
She believes that the authorities underestimate the opposition to solar parks among environmental groups. According to Weber, some 600 people are already opposed to a new solar installation that is set to be built 2,500 metres above sea level in canton Valais.
Popular Stories
More
Culture
Wealth is not all: how gentrification in Zurich has led to housing shortage
Swisscom receives greenlight for acquisition of Vodafone Italia
This content was published on
The takeover of Vodafone Italia by Swisscom is nearing completion. All relevant authorities have now approved the €8 billion (CHF7.45 billion) deal.
Novo Nordisk stock market plunge drags down Swiss device maker Ypsomed
This content was published on
The Danish pharmaceutical giant, Novo Nordisk, faced setbacks on Friday that weighed on the share price of Swiss injection device manufacturer Ypsomed.
Swiss press react to EU deal with mix of euphoria and scepticism
This content was published on
Swiss media reaction to the agreement between Switzerland and the EU varies widely. Some are celebrating, while others worry about what is to come.
Swiss Solidarity donations to tackle child abuse top CHF4 million
This content was published on
Swiss Solidarity, the humanitarian arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), has raised over CHF4 million ($4.3 million) to tackle child abuse.
EU Commission president says Swiss-EU deal is ‘historic’ agreement
This content was published on
At a joint media conference with Swiss President Viola Amherd in Bern, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke of a "day of joy".
Switzerland and EU reach deal on future bilateral relations
This content was published on
Switzerland and the European Union have announced a political agreement to update their trading relationship after almost a decade of difficult talks.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Mountaintop solar farms spark tensions in Switzerland
This content was published on
Building large solar parks in high-mountain regions is arguably an effective way to produce more power in winter. But it remains highly controversial.
Electricity firms on the hunt for Alpine solar opportunities
This content was published on
After parliament recently eased regulations for building high-altitude solar parks, seven Swiss firms are looking around for options.
Why is solar power struggling to take off in Switzerland?
This content was published on
Despite being the second-biggest source of renewable energy in Switzerland, solar power is struggling to break through at a national level.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.