Parliament agrees on solar obligation for buildings

The obligation applies to new buildings with more than 300 square metres of chargeable area. © Keystone / Julien Grindat

The Swiss parliament has decided that in future solar panels must be installed on large roofs and façades. This obligation applies to new buildings with more than 300 square metres of chargeable area.

The House of Representatives decided this on Monday, as did the Senate. The majority of the Committee for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy had insisted on the general solar obligation for roofs and façades and also wanted to include large conversions but was defeated.

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Energy Minister Albert Rösti had warned against the majority’s version and warned that the bill should have majority support. Parliamentarians are not yet in agreement on the solar obligation for parking spaces. The House of Representatives wants it for large areas, the Senate does not. The issue now returns to the Senate.

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