Solar Panels Coming To Highways & Rooftops In Switzerland

We are all familiar with the noise barriers that protect residential neighborhoods from the sound of cars and trucks on the highway. According to estimates by the Swiss government, more than 100 gigawatt hours of solar power per year can be generated from solar panels on those noise barriers, half of which are found along its national highways. Recently the government decided to make the surface of the barriers available free of charge, and a year ago the Federal Roads Office (Astra) put out a public tender to equip 350 of them with solar power.

According to TA Zurich, the first two photovoltaic systems on the A15 Oberland motorway near Wangen-Brüttisellen have now been approved. The two systems are to be completed in the first half of 2025 and will supply 500,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. These are the first solar systems in Switzerland to be built by private individuals as part of this program. The operator is Lima Solar in collaboration with the Austrian Institute of Technology in Vienna, Focus Energie, and the Zindel Group — companies that have experience in building large PV systems and with construction sites on highways.

Before moving forward, the solar installations needed to meet certain conditions. Among other things, panels must not dazzle drivers. Dieter Max Schenk, the  owner of Lima Solar, said an 85-page report on this issue was necessary for the new system on the A15 highway. It was only on the second attempt that suitable panels were found at a reasonable price, he said. However, as demand for low glare solar modules is increasing, prices are falling. In addition, a detailed process for implementing the project had to be established with Astra, which also led to a delay. Now that the process has been approved for all other PV systems by third parties on Swiss national roads, Lima Solar will be able to install solar panels on 50 additional noise barriers in the cantons of Zurich and Schaffhausen.

Being A Solar Panel Pioneer Is Hard Work

It isn’t easy being a trailblazer, but after the first systems that utilize new technology get approved and begin operating, those who follow have a clear path to move forward. As permitting authorities gain experience, the process goes more smoothly, which helps to bring costs down. The issue of glare or reflectivity has come recently in another creative use of solar panels in Switzerland.

Sun-Ways has developed a way to install solar panels between the rails of railway systems. Getting permission to do a trial of the system took a lot of time and effort. Initially, the Federal Office of Transport had reservations, leading to a temporary rejection. However, after 10 months committed to building and testing prototypes, Sun-Ways successfully secured the requisite permits to proceed. The International Union of Railways also raised concerns. It worried that the panels may be prone to micro-cracks which could increase the risk of fires.

There were also concerns that glare and reflections from the panels might distract train drivers. Sun-Ways has responded to those challenges by reinforcing the durability of their panels and implementing an anti-reflection filter to avoid impairing train drivers’ vision. In addition, Sun-Ways promises that integrated sensors will monitor the panels’ performance rigorously. To maintain the panels’ effectiveness, brushes attached to the end of trains will clear off any accumulating dirt. After all the objections and concerns were overcome, Sun-Ways had to design and build a special rail car to install the panels. That machine can also uninstall them if repairs to the tracks are required. No doubt the anti-glare technology developed for Sun-Ways could also help solve the glare problem for installations along Swiss highways.

According to Schenk, other challenges remain — connecting the roadside solar panels to the power grid and marketing the electricity those panels generate. Access to the grid is not always available along all those roadways, although in some places it can be accomplished without building new transmission lines, which can be expensive. As far as the sale of electricity is concerned, clarifications are currently being made. Shenk says he is in the process of negotiating a fixed price for five years with nearby companies that are interested in obtaining access to zero emissions electricity.

Astra, the Federal Roads Office, is already using part of the potential along the motorways for its own electricity needs and more photovoltaic systems are planned. Astra says it expects to produce around 35 gigawatt-hours of electricity itself each year by 2030.

Switzerland Embraces Solar Panels In More Places

In September of 2023, the Swiss parliament passed legislation that requires all new buildings with more than 300 square meters (3300 square feet) of roofs or facades to install solar panels on those surfaces. One year later, the city of Zurich announced a new policy that requires solar panels on all large roofs. This regulation aims to significantly increase solar energy adoption and will likely impact both commercial and residential sectors. It is not only a significant new business opportunity for solar installers, it also supports the EU’s efforts to increase the amount of renewable energy available in order to reduce emissions from power generation.

The policy applies not only to new roofs, but existing roofs if they are substantially repaired or replaced. In addition, solar panels will need to be added to those roofs that are 300 square meters or more by 2040 at the latest. Zurich’s decision aligns with Switzerland’s broader climate goals, particularly its commitment to the Paris Agreement. By mandating solar installations on large roofs, the city aims to maximize its photovoltaic potential, ensuring that new and existing buildings contribute to a sustainable energy future.

This development signals a shift in regulatory frameworks across certain parts of Europe, where cities and countries are increasingly imposing stricter energy efficiency and renewable energy requirements. Such policies not only contribute to environmental goals but also create substantial market opportunities for solar energy companies.

The Zurich mandate represents a significant market trend milestone. Introducing such policies creates demand for high quality and efficient solar panels, which in turn creates opportunities for distributors and manufacturers who can meet these rigorous standards. In addition, this policy could serve as a catalyst for similar regulations across Europe, further expanding the market for solar panels, according to Eco Green Energy. Cities in Germany, France, and Italy, which are already leaders in renewable energy adoption, might follow Zurich’s example, potentially leading to a Europe-wide increase in solar installations.

The upshot of all this is that Switzerland is taking its commitment to the 2015 Paris accords and to the preservation of the Earth as a place that supports human civilization seriously, something the United States will soon refuse to do. It’s hard to call yourself a leading nation if you refuse to lead.