Switzerland Seeks To Adapt For Solar Energy With AlpinSolar Plant

Switzerland, the rich alpine country with what many would consider limited solar potential, has certainly started trying harder.

The AlpinSolar power plant on Lake Muttsee Dam in Switzerland has become the first in the country with 5,000 solar panels. The dam is 2,500 meters above sea-level and is surrounded by snow capped peaks. It is expected to generate thrice the electricity in winter months when compared to a solar plant in the Swiss midlands, supporting green energy generation.

Located near Linthal, the plant is built by Swiss energy firm Axpo together with IWB (Industrielle Werke Besel), a commercial firm that specializes in energy. The plant has been fully operational since the end of August 2022. The project AlpinSolar produces 3.3 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year – half of it in winter.

The Muttsee dam’s current infrastructure, orientation and its altitude were found suitable for a solar plant. The altitude offers the advantage of generating large volumes of solar power in winters, enabled by low incidence of fog and snow reflection. At the same time, the dam is south-facing and therefore gets the sun all day long. That apart, because it is built at an optimal angle, the snow tends to slide off on its own.

The project is part of a larger vision for the Swiss energy firm Axpo. It aims to install 4,200 solar projects in the alpine country’s mountains and lower lying regions by 2030.

With Switzerland’s mountainsless affected by fog in colder months, panels see more sun than they would at lower altitudes. Reflection from the snow also helps .

Switzerland’s government is also making it easier for solar energy to become more prevalent. Last year the federal Parliament amended the country’s Energy Act to fast track the approval process of new solar plants which aim to produce significant levels of energy during the winter months.

Moving Towards Net Zero 

The country’s journey towards net zero emission started with the announcement by the Swiss government in 2019 to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Swiss government has been taking numerous steps to drive the country toward the target. Hence, the country is providing opportunities for solar energy players to implement more projects.

The drop in solar costs over the past few years also helped make the case for solar power in a country where hydro power is the dominant energy theme.

at about 60%, followed by wood (just under 20%) and, in decreasing order, waste, ambient heat, sunlight, biofuels, biogases and wind. The ‘new’ renewable energy sources are being used more and more to provide electricity, heat and fuel. In Switzerland, renewable energy is predominantly used to produce electricity (80%).

The share of solar power in Switzerland’s total production mix is still low, however, it has increased in absolute terms more than any of the other ‘new’ renewables. However, solar farms  like Alpinsolar in elevated Alpine areas will play a particularly key role in the future, as their power output remains high even in winter when power produced by plants on the lower plains wilts.