Solar panels installed in the country last year produced an additional gigawatt of electricity, the equivalent of that produced by the Gösgen nuclear power plant in canton Solothurn. “An annual increase of two gigawatts is soon realistic,” Thomas Nordmann, head of the Swiss Energy-Charts platform, told the SonntagsBlick.
Since the Swiss parliament approved the solar offensive bill in September to speed up the construction of solar energy parks , there’s been a race to find space in the sun. The bill reduces the hurdles for construction of big mountain solar projects – including strict environmental regulations – and offers generous subsidies.
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There are at least four solar parks in the works, all of which are in canton Valais. Another will be presented on Monday. Based on researchExternal link by Le Matin Dimanche, there are 25-30 projects under discussion in the country with about a dozen of them in concrete stages.
Parliament wants the Alpine solar parks to contribute 2,000 gigawatt hours (gWh) per year by the end of 2025. The total annual Swiss electricity consumption is some 58,000 gWh. Hydro-electric plants are the motor of electricity production in the country, contributing about 60%; solar made up 6% of production in 2021.
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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.
Some projects are arousing opposition though. Le Matin Dimanche reported that Vera Weber, president of the Franz Weber foundation, is opposed to solar park projects in the Alps, arguing they go against land use planning and environmental protection. “It’s completely absurd to want to destroy nature to supposedly save it when there are so many other solutions,” she told the paper.
She believes that the authorities underestimate the opposition to solar parks among environmental groups. According to Weber, some 600 people are already opposed to a new solar installation that is set to be built 2,500 metres above sea level in canton Valais.
One person consumes 4.8 megawatt hours of electricity
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On average, the Swiss consume 4.8 megawatt hours of electricity per year. According to Velobiz.de, this is roughly equivalent to the amount generated by all 176 cyclists in the Tour de France during the entire race.
Outgoing ICRC chief in Ukraine defends neutrality amid war
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Swiss national Jürg Eglin, outgoing head of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Ukraine, reflects on his tenure.
Green party leader criticises government’s neo-liberal policy
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The Green Party delegates' meeting opened on Saturday morning in Vicques (JU) with a speech by party president Lisa Mazzone. Mazzone took particular aim at the Federal Council's policy towards the United States.
Working on Sundays is detrimental to well-being, says Swiss study
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A study by the University of Bern shows that working on Sundays is detrimental to well-being and particularly affects women.
Safra Sarasin private bank and former asset manager sentenced
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The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has fined private bank J. Safra Sarasin CHF3.5 million for aggravated money laundering. A former bank employee received a six-month suspended prison sentence.
JPMorgan to pay CHF270 million to settle 1MDB claims
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JPMorgan Chase has agreed to pay CHF270 million to the Malaysian government to settle all issues related to its role in the 1MDB financial scandal.
Famine confirmed in Gaza for first time, says UN-backed report
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Famine has been declared in a northern part of the Gaza Strip, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system.
Zurich Airport ground handling staff to strike on Friday
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Ground handling staff at Zurich Airport have announced a strike for Friday afternoon. According to a union, 200 jobs are at risk.
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Philippe Lazzarini will step down as head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) at the end of his term in March, he announced on Thursday.
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.
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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.
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.
Why is solar power struggling to take off in Switzerland?
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Despite being the second-biggest source of renewable energy in Switzerland, solar power is struggling to break through at a national level.
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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.