Construction: solar panels could become compulsory during renovations

Published

The cantons consider an obligation to install photovoltaic panels during renovations of roofs or facades.Tenants could thus see their rent increase.

According to the Federal Council, by 2050, photovoltaics should provide more energy.To achieve this, each year it would be necessary to build installations that can produce 1000 megawatts of power by 2050.To accelerate the process, Swissolar, the Swiss association of solar energy professionals, makes a proposal: to force the owners to install solar panels on all the surfaces of roofs and facades during renovation reports the "Tages-Anzeiger".

Currently, 18 cantons impose this measure during new constructions.Swissolar's proposal attacks renovations.The cantons also think about it, but have not yet defined rules.

The measure is not unanimous

It remains to be seen how the population will host this solar obligation.An initiative in this direction was filed in November 2021 in the canton of Bern.If the text passes, the owners of existing buildings will have to equip the roofs and the facades with solar installations by 2040, even if they do not undertake renovation work.The shade initiative: "If the roof or facade surfaces lend themselves to it and if the installation is reasonably possible.»»

The Swiss Union of Land Owners resolutely rejects this obligation. «Les mesures actuelles font leurs preuves»», déclare son directeur, Markus Meier.An incitement would be to tax the electricity produced by the owners of small photovoltaic installations.

The discussion will also be lively among the tenants if the owners repercussions of these compulsory installations on rents.In Germany, where there is the same desire to boost solar, the debate turned out to be lively.