Solar energy as the driving force behind the power supply
According to the first Solar Monitor Switzerland, solar energy could cover around 80% of the country's electricity expansion by 2035 and supply over 28 terawatt hours annually. Turnover in the sector is growing steadily, but skilled workers are in demand to achieve the expansion targets. Solar energy is therefore becoming the second mainstay of Switzerland's electricity supply.
Swissolar sees potential for solar installations to account for 80% of the country’s electricity expansion by 2035. According to the first Solar Monitor Switzerland, which has now been published, the annual solar power yield could reach more than 28 terawatt hours. According to a press release, the recently published Solar Monitor Switzerland provides the first up-to-date facts and figures on the future development of the solar market. It includes forecasts for the expansion of photovoltaics up to the year 2035.
For the current year, solar energy is contributing 11% to electricity generation and is therefore “well on the way to becoming the second mainstay of Switzerland’s electricity supply alongside hydropower”. The prerequisite is “significantly improved implementation provisions”, it says. The new Electricity Act has led to uncertainty, which will have a dampening effect on market growth over the next two years. After that, new growth spurts can be expected.
For the first time, the Solar Monitor also provides an overview of industry turnover and the skilled labor situation. According to the report, the industry is expected to generate 3.7 billion Swiss francs in the current year and could reach 6 billion in ten years’ time. As part of a survey, Swissolar collected figures on the personnel situation. There are currently 11,000 full-time equivalents working in the solar industry. In order to achieve the expansion targets set out in the Electricity Act, 19,000 full-time employees are required.
In future, an updated version of the Solar Monitor will be published annually.