Swiss voters have approved a new electricity law designed to promote renewable energy, featuring mandatory photovoltaic systems on large buildings and new incentives for PV development. The law also encourages the formation of electricity communities, supports collective self-consumption, and mandates solar installations on new buildings over 300 m².
Why Solar?
Switzerland faces an electricity shortage, especially during peak winter demand, which has led to a reliance on imported electricity—often generated by polluting fuels. This dependency hampers the country’s climate efforts and its energy independence.
To address this, the government is incentivizing the installation of renewable energy sources like hydro, solar, wind, and biomass. The plan received overwhelming parliamentary support, passing by a vote of 177 to 19 and unanimously in the Council of States, Switzerland’s upper house, at 44 to 0.
Switzerland’s plan: Expanding solar, wind, hydro, and biomass for energy independence.
The government argued that these legal changes were necessary to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy. The plan aims to boost solar power production by installing panels on buildings, relaxing stringent planning conditions for wind power and large solar plants, and easing planning rules for 16 hydropower projects. It also includes public funding to stimulate investment in renewable electricity production.
Law Backed by Referendum
In a recent national referendum, Swiss citizens backed the new electricity regulation aimed at boosting renewable energy. Official results showed a decisive 68.72% of voters supported the law on “a secure electricity supply based on renewable energies,” a result that aligned with polling trends.
The legislation mandates photovoltaic systems on sizable structures, promotes electricity communities, and fosters collective self-consumption. A key provision requires new buildings exceeding 300 m² to integrate solar installations on their roofs or facades. Cantons also have the option to extend this requirement to smaller buildings.
The Alliance For a Safe and Affordable Electricity Supply, which supported the law, stated that the Swiss people have made a significant decision for the nation’s electricity supply.
The Electricity Act
In a press statement, the Swissolar association commented on the new law: “The Electricity Act sets out the framework for the continuous increase of solar electricity production, focusing especially on buildings and infrastructure and providing high winter efficiency through installations. Solar energy will become the second pillar of Swiss energy supply, along with hydroelectric energy.” This legislative push comes less than two months after the European Court of Human Rights criticized Switzerland—the first country to face such a ruling—for insufficient action against climate change.
1.5 GW of PV Systems Installed in 2023
In 2023, hydropower already made up 56% of Switzerland’s electricity mix, significantly reducing the nation’s carbon footprint. Building on this, solar energy is expected to contribute 6 TWh this year, about 10% of total consumption. The goal is for renewable sources to supply 35 TWh annually by 2035, predominantly from solar power.
Swissolar predicts that by 2050, photovoltaic systems will generate 45 TWh per year, covering half of the country’s electricity needs. The new legislation also encourages local energy communities and expands self-consumption groups by mandating that distribution network operators prioritize selling electricity from local renewables. This forward momentum is reflected in recent growth, with Swissolar reporting that over 1.5 GW of new PV systems were installed in 2023 alone.
Approved by nearly 69% of voters, the new electricity law represents a major step toward enhancing Switzerland’s renewable energy infrastructure and reducing its dependence on imported, polluting fuels. With solar energy poised to become a key pillar of the country’s energy mix alongside hydropower, the nation is on track to significantly boost its renewable output by 2035 and advance its goals for energy independence and climate action.
