KEYSTONE
The price of electricity on the open market is higher than ever. From 2023, the federal government will provide further funding for large solar systems. Good conditions for investing in solar energy, one might think.
The impending power shortage is driving the market price for electrical energy to unprecedented heights. This is particularly lucrative for companies that operate power plants. And it could be worthwhile for those building more power generation plants.
The focus here is on solar energy. Because hydropower in Switzerland is so extensive that no significant expansion is possible. Nuclear power has been phased out by popular vote. However, there is still plenty of room for photovoltaic systems.
The federal government has been promoting this for many years. Nevertheless, it was long the case that solar power generation was only worthwhile if it was used for self-consumption. Solar power is available during the day and replaces high-tariff power from the grid. Selling solar power has not been very lucrative so far. As a result, there are still few large photovoltaic systems in Switzerland.
Federal money for large photovoltaic systems
That should change now. Anyone who wants to build a solar power plant without self-consumption should be reimbursed by the federal government for up to 60 percent of the investment costs from 2023. That’s how she sees it Energy Subsidy Ordinance before, which was in the consultation until the beginning of July.
However, the generous support is fraught with uncertainty. The federal government wants to allocate the contributions for systems with an output of more than 150 kilowatts via auctions, as stated in the draft regulation. It is not yet clear how this will work in practice. David Stickelberger, Managing Director of Swissolarsees this as a reason why the electricity suppliers are still keeping a low profile.
Nevertheless, some of the electricity companies have already implemented large solar systems or launched corresponding projects: Alpiq is involved in one Solar storm system above the Valais village of Gondo, which is to become the largest in Switzerland. the EWZ are currently building the second large PV system on a dam. Axpo generates electricity on the dam Muttsee large-scale solar power. All of these systems should supply electricity, especially in winter, when fewer rays of sunshine fall on the solar roofs in the Swiss Plateau.
And if the price of electricity falls again?
Do you need the additional support at all? Stickelberger is convinced that these make large systems on warehouses, stable roofs, noise protection walls or car park roofs profitable. The Federal Council has just announced that it will make the noise protection walls on motorways available for PV systems free of charge.
The question still arises as to whether the solar power plants will remain profitable if the price of electricity falls. Simon Banholzer from the Energy Foundation is certain that the price of electricity will not fall so low in the coming years that large systems will become unprofitable.
Simon Banholzer from the Energy Foundation explains: “In France, many nuclear power plants are idle, gas and coal prices are high. Both drive up the market price for electricity.” He thinks it is quite possible that these prices will remain high for a few more years. “But what if the price falls again in five years? Solar systems have a service life of 25 to 30 years.»
Open space systems will not be approved
Christian Heierli is project manager in the field of renewable energies at Axpo and points out: “Financial support alone is not decisive. It would be more important that large open-space systems could be approved. In winter, these systems generate much more electricity per square meter on the same area and are therefore also cheaper.»
The same applies to plants in the Mittelland in agricultural zones: “There are positive developments in both areas, but that’s far from enough.” So the solar cultivation battle will only start when large open-space systems become possible in the Alps.
Despite this uncertainty, the electricity companies seem cautiously optimistic. Alpiq and EWZ say they are working on other major solar projects without giving details. However, the approval process is complex and the outcome is uncertain, says Alpiq’s media spokesman.
Bottleneck: Solar construction companies are working to capacity
Another obstacle stands in the way of the massive expansion of solar power in the near future: According to experts, the companies that build the systems are working to capacity. This mainly with the installation of small systems on residential buildings. “Anyone who wants to implement a system now has to wait at least six months before a company that specializes in it can start work,” says Stickelberger.
In this respect, too, large PV systems are more efficient: the same number of workers create a much larger solar area than if they install rows of small systems on single-family houses.
The will of the federal government to accelerate solar expansion is evident. Experts say a little more is needed to spark a major solar crop battle.