The Swiss Solar Agency calls for more money to be invested domestically for greater energy efficiency in the building sector
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This year’s Swiss Solar Prizes have been awarded to numerous energy-saving projects, including so-called Plus Energy Buildings (PEBs), which help achieve the Paris Climate Agreement and generate high electricity surpluses.
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One of the winners is a single-family house in Waltensburg, canton Graubünden, which generates eight times more electricity than the residents consume. This figure (817%) is the highest yet recorded in Switzerland, according to the Swiss Solar Agency, which hands out the prizes.
Other award-winning projects include Switzerland’s largest solar roof system, belonging to the PlusEnergie distribution centre in Perlen, canton Lucerne, with an output of 6.4MW, and Geneva’s public transport system, whose solar-generated energy is fed directly into the tram and bus operations.
The Swiss Solar Prizes, being held for the 30th time, are awarded to the most energy-efficient buildings and installations as well as the most committed individuals and institutions in the solar sector. A total of 73 solar projects were submitted for the prize this year. More than half were for Plus Energy Buildings.
Energy efficiency
PEBs eliminate around 80% of energy losses and generate up to six times more energy than they need on an annual average.
“Instead of transferring around CHF7 billion Swiss francs ($7.7 billion) a year abroad for fossil energy imports, this sum could be invested domestically for greater energy efficiency in the building sector in order to produce domestic, CO2-free electricity,” the Swiss Solar Agency wrote.
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