Bundesrat concretizes solar offensive

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In the fall of 2022, parliament facilitated the approval of large-scale photovoltaic installations with urgent changes to the Energy Act that will apply until 2025. The federal government reimburses up to 60 percent of the investment costs. The simplifications apply until the new large-scale photovoltaic installations across Switzerland generate a maximum of two terawatt hours of electricity per year.

On Friday, the Bundesrat implemented the changes necessary for the implementation of the solar offensive as of April 1 in three regulations. It is difficult to estimate how many projects will be publicly launched by the end of 2025, he wrote in his report. There are probably a maximum of 200 projects.

Count approved projects

The Federal Council has now determined how the expansion threshold of two terawatt hours is to be reached: The decisive factor is the production of legally approved projects. This requirement is designed to prevent underprivileged projects from blocking the two terawatt hour quota.

The plan is for the cantons to keep the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) informed of the status of the projects in their territories from disclosure to commissioning. The list is continuously updated and publicly accessible.

The modalities for funding contributions are also specified. Applications can be submitted once a project has been legally approved. To keep money flowing, at least ten percent of the expected production of the entire planned installation or 10 gigawatt hours must be returned to the grid by the end of 2025.

The system should be fully operational by the end of 2030. According to the Federal Council, the normal one-time fee for photovoltaic installations is available for projects that do not meet these criteria.

The Federal Council has also ruled that no solar systems may be installed in crop rotation areas. Local food production must not suffer from the solar offensive.

Canton grants building permit

The canton must issue the building permit for a large-scale power station, as the SFOE wrote, and also set conditions for the decommissioning of the power station. The consent of the local community and the land owner must be present. Electrical development requires a permit from the Federal Inspectorate for Heavy Current Installations or the SFOE.

The state government assumes that the cantonal and municipal construction authorities and other agencies involved will get more work because of the solar offensive. The SFOE requires an additional full-time job through the end of 2031.

(SDA)

Source:Blick