The Federal Council of Switzerland has approved 2 motions under which all suitable roofs and façade areas of the federal government will be equipped with solar PV systems by 2034 with an aim to increase the autonomy of federal real estate in the electricity sector.
As per estimates, this should correspond to an expansion of solar PV energy generation 6 times from 13 GWh at the end of 2021 to 87 GWh by 2034. The council has now commissioned the Federal Building and Real Estate Bodies (BLO) and the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) to implement this potential by 2034.
Both these federal agencies will be obligated to set up a photovoltaic monitor on both their websites and regularly document the status of this expansion.
BLO buildings comprise Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics (FOBL), based in the Federal Department of Finance (FDF), armasuisse (ar) in the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), and the ETH Board.
The 2 motions proposed by Councilor of States Olivier Français and National Councilor Matthias Jauslin have called upon the council for an investment plan worth CHF 143.4 million to execute the same.
In September 2022, FEDRO invited applications for solar panels to be installed for noise barriers and rest areas along national roads (see Switzerland Launches Call For Solar Along National Roads).
Switzerland has clearly stated that it plans to give precedence to renewable energy over other interests to ensure security of electricity in the country. A few weeks back, the Swiss Parliament agreed to scale up the country's renewable energy production target to 35 TWh in 2035 and 45 TWh in 2050 (see Switzerland Bats For 45 TWh RE Production In 2050).