The solar potential of reservoirs can only be used to a limited extent
Published: Wednesday, Nov 20th 2024, 13:20
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644 gigawatt hours of electricity per year could be supplied by solar cells on reservoirs and hydropower plants. According to a report by the Federal Council, this is a fraction of the technical potential. The reasons for this are other uses of the lakes, protection requirements and the high cost of generating electricity.
In the report to Parliament published on Wednesday, the Federal Council listed the mobilizable photovoltaic potential of reservoirs and hydropower plants: The 644 gigawatt hours (GWh) are divided into 531 GWh on reservoirs, 55 GWh on dam walls and dams, 51 GWh on roofs and 7 GWh on parking lots near hydropower plants.
The technical potential for generating solar power from all reservoirs, dams and dams in the country would total around 4.6 terawatt hours (TWh). That would be around 8 percent of today's electricity consumption and around half of the electricity produced by the Leibstadt nuclear power plant.
Technically speaking, reservoirs in the lowlands would have the greatest potential for generating electricity using solar energy. However, other uses such as fishing, shipping or protection requirements limit the possibilities. In the mountains, protection interests tend to be lower, but the technical challenges are greater.
The Federal Council mentions snow cover and icing, fluctuating water levels and technical requirements for the safety of hydropower plants. The electricity production costs are correspondingly higher. According to the Federal Council, they are in the range of the expected production costs of alpine ground-mounted solar plants.
There are now seven photovoltaic systems on reservoirs and dams. These are the floating installation on Lac des Toules in Valais and six solar installations on dam walls. The Federal Council sees no need for legislative changes in favor of photovoltaics on bodies of water. Funding instruments are also available.
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