Swiss Adopt Aggressive Feed Law for Renewable Energy
New law makes Switzerland the first nation with a specific tariff for small wind turbines.
Bern, Switzerland [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] In a surprising move, Switzerland has adopted one of the world's most aggressive systems of Advanced Renewable Tariffs. The Swiss, famed for conservative traditions, stodgy bankers and trains that run on time, have joined a growing list of countries using feed-in tariffs to promote the rapid development of renewable energy.
![]() Currently there are 29 megawatts (MW) of solar PV in the country; 7 MW were installed in 2007. The Swiss, ever meticulous, avoided disrupting the solar industry while the new law was under lengthy discussions, by grandfathering solar PV installations installed from 2006 through the law's introduction in April 2008. Geothermal plants of less than 5 MW in size will receive 0.30 SWF/kWh (US $0.30/kWh) for 20 years. Funds to pay for the tariffs will come from a systems benefits charge of 0.006 SWF/kWh on all electricity consumption, says Reto Rigassi of Suisse Eole, the Swiss wind energy association. This is equivalent to 320 million SWF, or about US $310 million, at current exchange rates. While there is no MW cap on the program, there is a cap on the portion contributed by each technology to the total program. Hydro generation is capped at 50% of the fund, and wind at 30%. However, the wind association's Rigassi explains that the entire program is capped at 150% of the funds collected. Most controversial are the limits placed on solar photovoltaics (PV). Solar PV is capped at 5% of the fund. Swissolar, the Swiss solar trade association, has called on the government to lift the cap, arguing that solar PV could ultimately meet one-third of Swiss electricity supply. There are currently 1,000 people employed in the Swiss solar industry, and Bank Sarasin suggests that the number could increase if Switzerland developed its home market with more aggressive policies. The program will be reviewed every five years. The first review may be within three years. As elsewhere, special provisions are made for data collection from the private generators who participate in the program. The law specifically states that generators must provide data on generation upon the government's request. Swiss parliamentarians have been debating a modern renewable energy policy for several years. The country's renewable energy advocates have watched in frustration as renewable energy boomed in Germany to the north, France to the west, and Italy to the south. Now, with one of the world's most progressive systems of Advanced Renewable Tariffs, the Swiss are in the game.
Additional Information
Bioenergy,
Geothermal Energy,
Green Power,
Hydropower,
Hydrogen - Fuel Cells,
Ocean Energy,
Other,
Solar Energy,
Wind Power,
Energy Efficiency
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paul gipe
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The Swiss have a very large hydroelectric system and a well developed nuclear energy program--these two production methods account for most of their electricity production and during part of the year they are energy exporters. It would be quite easy for them to add to their nuclear program for capacity additions while funding renewable research so that they install efficient systems when they are ready. Huge FETs will only cause energy prices to jump with very little return.