Canton Zurich wants to use large roofs for solar power
Roof areas larger than 300 square metres in the canton of Zurich are to be used entirely for the production of solar power in future. This is what the cantonal government is proposing. In addition, grid operators are to jointly promote long-term storage in future.
The Zurich Cantonal Council wants to improve the security of the electricity supply with solar power and long-term storage. According to a statement, it presented two proposals to amend the cantonal energy law on 6 January.
The first bill stipulates that roofs larger than 300 square metres must be equipped with solar panels across their entire surface. This requirement applies to new buildings and the renovation of existing roofs. The cantonal government estimates the potential of fully utilising all suitable roofs at around 6 terawatt hours of electricity per year. This corresponds to around two-thirds of the canton’s current electricity consumption. According to the cantonal government, around 60 per cent of this potential lies in large roofs.
The second bill provides for the expansion of long-term storage facilities. Electricity grid operators are to jointly promote these in future. This promotion is to be financed by a levy on electricity consumption not exceeding 0.5 centimes per kilowatt hour. The corresponding promotion fund is to be managed by the Zurich Cantonal Electricity Works (EKZ). The cantonal government wants to use this to make the surplus solar power generated in summer available for use during the winter months.
Both proposals will now be submitted to the Cantonal Council for deliberation.