Four universities in Switzerland have collected and analysed data from the country’s Alpine power plants, some of which are in the planning stages and some are already in operation.
The universities involved have published the alpine-pv.ch database: Bern University of Applied Sciences, the Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, and the Zurich University of Applied Sciences.
The database aims to present which alpine solar plants are in operation, in planning, or have been rejected, to encourage transparency around the process. The database currently says that six alpine solar plants are connected to the grid.
The Swiss government is encouraging the construction of alpine PV plants through its Solar Express Law, which requires 10% of solar PV production to be fed to the grid by 2025, aiming for 100% in 2030.
The platform additionally includes the available data and findings on the alpine PV plants, alpine research, and pilot plants. For example, data on annual production, yield, and performance can be found per plant.
All alpine PV plants either in development or newly announced in the high Alps have a 939GWh annual yield – with 563GWh in active planning. 373GWh of projected solar production has been either rejected or withdrawn.
Utilising the high Alps for solar PV plants is popular due to their effectiveness during winter months, when they generate half of their solar capacity.
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