Cost of home energy storage system in Zurich Switzerland

How much does a solar system cost in Switzerland?

A normal solar power system for an average single-family home in Switzerland costs around CHF 15,000 after subsidies and tax savings. The higher the self-consumption and the proportion of solar energy produced in the total energy requirements, the faster the solar system pays for itself.

How does electricity storage work in Switzerland?

Electricity storage is not separately defined in the Swiss legislative framework. The biggest obstacle for electricity companies is to obtain a construction permit and a concession for the operation of a pumped storage plant, which is granted for a maximum of 80 years.

Does Switzerland support pumped storage operators?

Despite the government’s objectives defined in the Energy Strategy 2050, there is currently no direct support via subsidy for pumped storage operators in Switzerland.

How does a cost-covering fee affect electricity production in Switzerland?

Further, the introduction of a cost-covering fee for feed-in to the electricity grid, in order to subsidise new renewable energy sources in Switzerland, disadvantaged traditional hydro electricity producers. As a result, high prices during peak load times dropped, which substantially lowered the revenue stream of pumped storage plants.

What energy sources will Switzerland rely on?

To meet increased energy demand, Switzerland will primarily rely on hydro and photovoltaic energy sources and, to a lesser extent, wind power. But what about the times when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow?

How many pumped hydro storage plants are there in Switzerland?

In the past, a total of 14, mostly small sized pumped hydro storage plants, were built, the last of which was commissioned in 1990. However, the combined capacity of these plants only amounts to 1380 MW contributing to approximately 4.4% of the total electricity produced in Switzerland.