Switzerland’s largest ‘open air’ solar farm planned at Bern Airport
A huge solar farm – the equivalent of 35 football pitches – is being planned at Bern Airport aimed at producing electricity for up to 15,000 homes from 2026.
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Aeroporto de Berna vai acolher maior fazenda solar da Suíça
Flughafen Bern AG and the energy company BKW have joined forces to launch the “BelpmoosSolar” project. They want to install solar panels on one-third of the land at Bern Airport, approximately 25 hectares, to generate up to 35 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity per year, a joint press release External linksaidExternal link on Friday. Around 30% of the electricity will be generated in winter.
“The “BelpmoosSolar” project is proof that the central Plateau region [of Switzerland] has suitable sites for large-scale, open-air solar plants that can generate large amounts of electricity in a region that is already populated and close to residential and business centres,” the statement said.
The project is expected to cost around CHF30 million ($32.24 million). Official planning approval is still needed for the proposal.
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Can solar panels on highways accelerate the supply of green energy?
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Covering motorways with solar panels sounds like an ideal solution to boost the uptake of solar power. How would it work?
Bern is not the first airport with plans to use its land to generate solar-powered electricity. Vienna Airport already has an open-air facility of a similar size.
Switzerland is committed to achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Solar power is one of the main planks of this strategy. Renewable energies must meet the growing demand for electricity. The authorities want 34 terawatt hours (TWh) of solar-generated electricity a year by 2050 (2.6TWh were generated in 2020).
Installing panels on existing building roofs and facades in Switzerland offers more than enough potential to meet growing needs for solar energy – at least on paper. They could provide 50TWh and 17TWh, respectively, says the Federal Office of Energy. But the government is encouraging cantons and entrepreneurs to explore other complementary measures like solar panels on highways, in the mountains and in other open spaces.
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Electricity shortage boosts solar energy
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Fears of an electricity shortage in Switzerland appear to have had a positive effect on the expansion of solar energy.
Mountaintop solar farms spark tensions in Switzerland
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Building large solar parks in high-mountain regions is arguably an effective way to produce more power in winter. But it remains highly controversial.
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Paul Hottinguer, a member of one of Switzerland’s most famous banking families, will face trial in Paris for tax fraud and money laundering.
Swiss man who died in Iranian prison had photographed military site
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The Iranian judiciary said that the Swiss man who died in an Iranian prison on January 9 had been detained for photographing a restricted military site.
Swiss researchers patent new device for avalanche detection
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The WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research said it has granted a group of Swiss researchers a patent for a device to enhance avalanche warnings.
Berset discusses ECHR climate ruling implementation at Davos
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Switzerland has submitted a report on the court's ruling in Strasbourg. Berset told Justice Minister Beat Jans that the Council of Europe is reviewing it.
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A 27-year-old ski tourer has died in the hospital in Sion, in southwestern Switzerland, after being caught in an avalanche on Saturday.
Swiss health minister criticises Trump’s ‘rash’ WHO exit
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Switzerland has expressed “deep” regret over Trump’s decision to withdraw from the WHO, Swiss Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider said in Davos.
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Job vacancies in Switzerland fell by 10% in 2024, marking the first negative annual balance since the Covid-19 pandemic, says Adecco.
Swiss president meets Zelensky in Davos amid tensions with Europe
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Swiss President met Zelensky at Davos. As Zelensky thanked Switzerland, Keller-Sutter said it's too early to discuss a new summit, awaiting Trump's actions.
Basel diocese files five claims of sexual abuse in Swiss Catholic Church
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The diocese of Basel has received 141 reports of sexual abuse since the publication of a sweeping study on violations in the Catholic Church by the University of Zurich in 2023.
Swiss president calls for open markets and stable institutions in WEF speech
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Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter was among speakers at the WEF in Davos to make the case for fair competition, a day after Donald Trump became the 47th president of the United States.
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Axpo to invest CHF1.5 billion in Swiss solar projects
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The plans involve building solar plants in the Alps and in lower-lying regions by 2030, Switzerland's top energy firm said on Tuesday.
Electricity firms on the hunt for Alpine solar opportunities
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After parliament recently eased regulations for building high-altitude solar parks, seven Swiss firms are looking around for options.
Report: solar power can reduce Swiss reliance on hydro
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A study has outlined how new solar infrastructure, combined with existing dams, can help Switzerland avoid an energy shortage.
Swiss hydropower prepares for future energy shortage
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The severe drought in Europe has hampered hydroelectric output across the continent. What is the impact on Switzerland, the water tower of Europe?
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