Featured in Moving in circles – 09-2024

PV in the palaces of nature

Above the clouds between the vast walls of the Alps, solar projects are in development. Concerns over insecurity of electricity supply in the winter led the Swiss government to introduce subsidies for Alpine PV projects but while state support bolsters the business case and developers are confident on the technical side, local opposition remains.

By

Matthew Lynas

06 Sep 2024

Axpo Group has experience with Alpine solar. The Swiss utility commissioned a plant at the Muttsee reservoir, 2,500 m above sea level, in 2021. | Photo: Axpo

The Swiss Alps have inspired poets and artists for centuries and are an economic boon for the local tourist industry. It’s been said their summits expand the spirit yet appall – a precarious balance of beauty and danger.Electricity generation and consumption are also pretty well-balanced in Switzerland, at least on an annual basis. The Swiss …

This article is part of pv+

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