According to the Green Party of Switzerland, this solar initiative aims to ensure that solar panels are installed as standard on all suitable roofs, facades and infrastructure. The solar initiative thus makes it possible to produce electricity where it is needed – and without harming nature. The solar initiative is beneficial for climate protection and makes an important contribution to security of supply.
Switzerland has enough roofs, facades and suitable infrastructure to cover, or even more than, current electricity needs with solar energy. However, it only uses a tenth of this potential. “After the resounding acceptance of the Renewable Energy Act on Sunday, our solar initiative is the logical next step: it will ensure that solar installations are built where the potential is greatest while preserving nature,” explained Lisa Mazzone, president of the Greens of Switzerland. The solar initiative requires that during new construction or major renovation, any roof, facade or appropriate infrastructure be equipped to produce renewable energy. It also requires that existing buildings be equipped within 15 years. Strict cases are planned.
Solar energy has many advantages. “Solar energy is one of the most climate-friendly ways of producing electricity and heat, because its exploitation does not emit CO2,” underlined Aline Trede, BE national advisor. On the other hand, it is an energy that is extremely cheap, since the sun shines for free for everyone and is inexhaustible. Solar energy, which produces a quarter to a third of its potential in the plains in winter, but can be installed on infrastructures at altitude, also makes a decisive contribution to winter supply, if Switzerland develops its capacity and technologies for storage.
Producing energy in buildings also helps avoid unnecessary transport: energy is used directly where it is produced, namely in households and the neighborhood. Solar energy therefore makes it possible to avoid energy waste linked to its transport. Solar also has the enormous advantage of being a safe energy. “Not only does it strengthen security of supply – by making us less dependent on autocratic states – but it is not dangerous like nuclear power plants and the radioactive waste they produce,” argued Margot Chauderna, co-president of Jeunes Vert-e-x-s.
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