Solar panels installed in Switzerland

Should solar panels be required in new buildings in Switzerland?

Since 2015, the Swiss government has published a recommendation for the energy policies in cantons. These regulations should include a requirement for PV in every new building. In a majority of cantons, a requirement of including about 10 W PV per square meter of heated area for new buildings is already implemented.

Where are PV systems installed in Switzerland?

The installations are mainly set on industries and residential areas. Nearly 90% of new installations are on residential areas but the industrial area systems make up for 48 % of the capacity installed ( Figure 1 and Figure 2). Applications of PV in Switzerland are primarily roof-top grid-connected PV systems.

Can Swiss solar power plants be installed in the Alps?

The country continues to find ways to take advantage of its topography to install PV and optimize winter production. With the "Alpine Offensive", the Swiss parliament has decided that large-scale solar power plants in the Alps, generating at least 10 GWh, including at least 500 kWh/kW in winter, will be eligible for federal support.

When did photovoltaic installations start in Switzerland?

The first photovoltaic installation in Switzerland dates back to 1992, but the country had to wait 2011 to observe a significant growth of the size of the yearly installed capacities, it has been developing at a rapid pace ever since (section 1.2). The installations are mainly set on industries and residential areas.