Switzerland Launches Auction Scheme for PV Systems above 150kW
According to foreign media, the Swiss Federal Council proposed new amendments to the country's energy regulations recently to further support the deployment of solar systems. The new regulations include the implementation of a new auction plan for photovoltaic systems above 150kW, as well as funding for photovoltaic systems installed at high altitudes in the Alps.
The Swiss Federal Council said in a statement: "This will be the first time that Switzerland will hold an auction for large photovoltaic systems. These funds will be awarded to manufacturers who provide a certain number of solar panels at the lowest price. These auctions are aimed at photovoltaic systems for non self use, such as those installed in hangars or barns. This new plan is part of a new package of incentives for the photovoltaic industry in Switzerland."
The company said that photovoltaic systems deployed on infrastructure assets such as dams and noise barriers are usually more expensive and may not be competitive in auctions. The new auction mechanism will replace the feed in tariff plan that will expire at the end of this year.
The Swiss Federal Council said: "In order to encourage photovoltaic developers to install photovoltaic systems, special auctions can be conducted for this type of photovoltaic systems."
By the end of December last year, the cumulative installed capacity of photovoltaic systems in Switzerland had reached 3.65GW. This is enough to meet about 6% of the country's electricity demand. The Swiss Federal Energy Office recently revealed that the country will deploy about 683MW photovoltaic system in 2021. Swissolar, a photovoltaic developer, also said that this positive trend would continue in 2022, with an estimated annual installed capacity of 850MW~900MW.
