contents
But the prices for the electricity fed into the grid can also fall again. So big investments could be risky.
Those who purchase electricity will soon be paying significantly more in many places. Anyone who produces electricity themselves – for example with a photovoltaic system on the roof – and feeds it into the grid, receives more and more money for it. Certain energy suppliers in Switzerland now pay seven times more than they did two years ago.
Not building solar systems would be a bad decision.
However, the association of independent solar system operators is not really happy with this. For example, the central Swiss energy supplier CKW currently pays 23 centimes per kilowatt hour to anyone who feeds solar power into the grid.
Two years ago he only offered three centimes for it. Various other energy suppliers are also currently increasing the so-called feed-in tariff significantly. The reason for this is that they can resell the electricity on the market at a higher price.
Not only save, but also collect
The so-called feed-in tariff is an important factor for homeowners who are considering whether to build a solar system. The profitability of such systems is improving enormously, says René Baggenstos.
He is the head of the energy trust company Enerprice and goes on to say: “On the one hand, many benefit from the electricity saved, which is currently more expensive. On the other hand, many get good money for the electricity they feed into the grid. Not building solar systems would be a bad decision.”
Nevertheless, the association that represents the independent energy producers (VESE) is not overjoyed. The high could be followed by a low again, warns VESE President Walter Sachs.
Choice between market price and fixed price
He says: “This boom only came about because of the high electricity prices. If, for example, you invest 400,000 francs in a system as a solar cooperative and in four years you will no longer receive anything for your electricity, how do you explain that to your members?»
Walter Sachs demands that owners of solar systems have the choice between the market tariff, which can make jumps and dips, and a stable tariff that remains the same over several years. However, political pressure seems to be changing things now that most solar systems are suddenly very profitable.