Photovoltaic solar energy will cover 10% of Switzerland’s electricity needs

This year, solar photovoltaics will cover more than 10% of Switzerland’s total electricity demand for the first time. This is equivalent to more electricity than the Beznau nuclear power plant, according to the Swiss Solar Energy Association.

Since 2020, the Swiss photovoltaic market has followed a strong growth trajectory, with annual growth of more than 40%, the association added. The trend was reinforced in 2022 by energy shortages, which caused growth of 58%. Last year the forecasts were also exceeded. Photovoltaic expansion increased 51% to 1,641 megawatts. The Swiss Solar Energy Association (Swissolar) refers to the figures from the solar energy statistics of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE). At the end of last year, eight percent of Switzerland’s total electricity demand was supplied by solar panels. The annual production amounted to 4,624 gigawatt hours (GWh), which corresponds approximately to the annual consumption of 1.4 million four-person households or 80% of the annual production of both reactors at the Beznau nuclear power plant, the report continues. .

“Solar expansion currently covers 2-3% more of Switzerland’s electricity needs each year. Until 2050, solar energy will be able to cover 50% of annual demand despite increasing consumption,” said Swissolar CEO Matthias Egli in the press release. This will make solar energy “the second pillar of our electricity supply along with hydroelectric energy.”