‘Courageous’ push could create 14,000 solar power jobs
Floating barges with solar panels on the "Lac des Toules" reservoir lake in southern Switzerland, on November 18, 2019.
Keystone / Laurent Darbellay
Around 14,000 additional jobs could be created in the Swiss solar power sector if there is a post-Covid push, according to a new study.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/sb
A report by Zurich’s University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) estimates that 14,000 new solar jobs could be created if photovoltaic systems can be set up in the areas most readily accessible in Switzerland.
Of these, 12,000 jobs could be added for specialists and technicians involved in assembling solar power infrastructure.
The Swiss Energy Foundation (SES), which commissioned the study released on Friday, said this would be possible if there was a “courageous solar offensive”.
The national Energy Strategy 2050, which was accepted by voters in May 2017, aims to promote renewable energy, ban new nuclear power plants and lower energy consumption. In early April this year, the Federal Council (executive body) launched a consultation process concerning various changes to Swiss energy regulations. One change under consideration calls for financial contributions towards small-scale solar power installations to be ramped up from 2021.
Switzerland currently meets only 4.2% of its electricity needs with wind and solar power, compared with more than 50% for Denmark and 33% for Germany, according to the foundation. The main source of energy in Switzerland is hydropower, which covers 60% of the grid.
The potential to further develop solar energy in the Alpine nation has been revised upwards since the Energy Strategy 2050 was finalised. But the pandemic has unfortunately dampened the hopes of some investors and entrepreneurs, the foundation noted.
More
More
Swiss among worst solar and wind performers in Europe
This content was published on
Switzerland meets only 4.2% of its electricity needs with wind and solar power, which is far from where it should be to meet climate goals.
Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?
Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.
Argentina’s Milei to visit Switzerland in January 2025
This content was published on
Argentina's libertarian President Javier Milei plans to visit Switzerland on January 24, 2025 to attend an event organised by the Liberal Institute in Zurich.
This content was published on
OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, says it intends to open an office in Zurich. The move is part of its European expansion plan, after setting up offices in London, Paris, Brussels and Dublin.
This content was published on
The Swiss economy is growing slightly faster than expected, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
This content was published on
The House of Representatives on Wednesday cut the foreign aid budget by CHF250 million ($282 million) in favour of the army.
Parliament confirms 13th pension payment to be paid once a year in December
This content was published on
The 13th old-age pension payment will be paid out as planned from December 2026, the Swiss Senate confirmed on Wednesday.
This content was published on
Around 1,000 Swiss farmers took part in a protest action near Bern on Tuesday, calling for less administrative work, more planning security and fairer prices.
UN appeals for more funds to assist 305 million people in need
This content was published on
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that around 305 million people will need aid in 2025.
Swiss authorities release right-to-die activist in Sarco ‘suicide capsule’ case
This content was published on
A right-to-die activist has been released from police custody over the reported first use of the Sarco “suicide capsule”, after prosecutors ruled out the possibility of an intentional homicide.
Switzerland demands immediate halt to hostilities in Syria
This content was published on
The Swiss foreign ministry has called for an immediate end to hostilities in Syria. International humanitarian law must be respected, it declared via the social media platform X on Tuesday.
Poll: right-wing Swiss People’s Party enjoys growing support among population
This content was published on
If national elections had been held in Switzerland last month, the right-wing Swiss People's Party would have won, and increased its share of votes by 2% compared to the 2023 federal elections.
Swiss among worst solar and wind performers in Europe
This content was published on
Switzerland meets only 4.2% of its electricity needs with wind and solar power, which is far from where it should be to meet climate goals.
Switzerland must ramp up green energy efforts to meet targets
This content was published on
On Thursday, the Federal Office of EnergyExternal link released its second report that monitors national energy consumption and its effect on the climate. Renewable energy sources accounted for 6.1% of net electricity production at the end of 2018 – some 3,877 gigawatt hours (GWh). This needs to be increased to 4,400 GWh by the end…
Swiss give green light for renewables and nuclear phase out
This content was published on
Voters have approved a new energy law that aims to promote renewable energy, ban new nuclear power plants and lower energy consumption.
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.