The 2.2 megawatt plant is expected to produce enough electricity from its 5,000 solar units to power 740 four-person households.
Energy company Axpo expects the plant to be completed in September. However, weather conditions could affect the timetable as materials have to be brought in by helicopter to the remote site by the Muttsee dam in central Switzerland.
The plant is expected to cost CHF5.5 million ($6 million) but the future electricity output has already been sold, most notably to the Denner supermarket chain that has signed up for this electricity supply for the next 20 years.
It is being built at such a high elevation to avoid fog and low cloud that collects in the region. For this reason, it is expected to produce more electricity than lower-lying photovoltaic plants, including in winter.
The alpine state is decommissioning its nuclear power plants and intends to fill the energy gap from renewable sources.
Nearly 50% more solar panels were erected in Switzerland last year compared to 2019, covering 4.7% of Switzerland’s entire energy consumption (3.8% in 2019). But industry body Swissolar says the number of installations will have to increase 15-fold to meet renewable energy targets.
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The world’s first high-altitude floating solar power plant may be a sign of things to come for the global photovoltaic industry.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Ex-employee of Bank Pictet convicted of money laundering
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The Geneva-based bank Pictet has been fined CHF2 million for shortcomings in its organisation which enabled a former asset manager to commit serious money laundering.
20 Minuten: last Swiss free daily to stop being printed
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From the end of the year, there will no longer be a daily free newspaper in Switzerland: the TX Group is discontinuing the print version of "20 Minuten". Up to 80 full-time positions are to be cut in the editorial and publishing departments.
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The Swiss population is in favour of compulsory military service and closer ties with NATO. These are the findings of the "Security 2025" study.
Irregular migration to Switzerland halves year-on-year
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Irregular migration to Switzerland has decreased significantly. The figures from January to May show that only half as many illegal stays were recorded compared to the same period last year.
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The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is to cut around 3,500 jobs as a result of financial cuts linked in particular to US decisions. Hundreds of temporary contracts will also be cut, the UN agency said in Geneva on Monday.
Swiss government to help cantons in expelling rejected asylum-seekers
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The federal government is to provide greater relief and support to the cantons when it comes to deporting people who are not entitled to asylum in Switzerland.
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One in four people in Switzerland feels stressed often or almost always. Among the under-30s, the figure is as high as 40%.
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The permafrost in the Swiss Alps is thawing faster and faster. The thawed top layers of permafrost have never been as thick as they were last year. This is shown by the latest data from the Swiss permafrost monitoring network Permos.
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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Swiss solar power breaks records but still misses targets
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Despite a record-breaking increase in solar panel installation, Switzerland is far away from its target of shifting away from non-renewables.
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The world’s first high-altitude floating solar power plant may be a sign of things to come for the global photovoltaic industry.
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Is Switzerland, one of the world’s most environmentally conscious societies, in danger of moving backwards on green projects?
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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.