Swissolar: Upswing in battery storage systems
Around every second PV system in Switzerland is now installed with a battery storage system. They enable more flexible use of local solar power, stabilize the electricity grid and increase security of supply. The solar industry, distribution grid operators and politicians are now called upon to act, writes the Swissolar association.
Rising global demand and the resulting drive towards mass production as well as technological innovations have led to a significant drop in battery storage prices in recent years. With the battery report, Swissolar is laying the foundations for a long-term debate on the topic. Matthias Egli, Managing Director of Swissolar, says: "Battery storage systems are a key element for Switzerland's security of supply with electricity from domestic renewable energies. They make solar power more flexible to use and reduce the load on the power grid." The PV share of electricity consumption could grow from 14% in 2025 to 17% as early as next year.
Batteries help with the integration of solar power into the grid
In view of the continued rapid expansion of solar energy, there is an urgent need for incentives for system operators to act in a system-friendly manner. Swissolar President Jürg Grossen appeals to the solar industry, distribution grid operators and politicians to optimize the grid integration of solar power: "The necessary legal basis is in place with the Electricity Act. Now everyone has to do their bit. The solar industry must optimize self-consumption with batteries and energy management systems. The distribution grid operators must adapt their tariffs and tax instruments to the new production reality. And politicians must continue to optimize the framework conditions. It is important that the solution we helped to develop - remuneration at hourly market prices - is implemented quickly." This is to be dealt with conclusively in the summer session of the Federal Assembly as part of the acceleration decree.
A national storage strategy is needed
In future, Swissolar will advocate even more strongly for framework conditions that promote the expansion of storage solutions in combination with photovoltaics. This also includes a national storage strategy. Swissolar Vice President Gabriela Suter says: "Battery storage systems that can temporarily store electricity in the short term and feed it into the grid within milliseconds when needed must be taken into account in future energy scenarios. Unfortunately, these are still missing from the federal government's current energy perspectives. A national storage strategy is needed that includes all storage systems - seasonal and short-term - and shows how the various storage technologies interact. This will prevent the grids from being expanded disproportionately."
The Swissolar battery report formulates six key recommendations for policy-makers, grid operators and the industry:
- Assigning decentralized battery storage systems an appropriate role in the energy system
- Designing price signals and financial incentives
- Targeted incentives for the integration of battery storage systems into a smart energy system
- Reduce grid expansion through district and regional storage
- Facilitate access to balancing energy markets for battery storage systems
- Removing obstacles to data exchange
The report "Battery storage with photovoltaics 2025" is available on the Swissolar website: www.swissolar.ch/batteriebericht.
