The participatory solar power plant project consists of offering the inhabitants the opportunity to invest in a photovoltaic power plant, the production of which will be bought at cost price by Yverdon-les-Bains Énergies and then by Swissgrid.
This approach was born out of a desire to enable everyone to invest in the local production of renewable energy. It is primarily intended for people who do not have the possibility of installing photovoltaic panels on the roof of their home: tenants, owners of historic houses in the city centre or owners of condominiums. But it is also interesting for homeowners who do not want to have the worries of a solar installation on their property.
The concept is simple. The power plant consists of several parts of CHF 500. Investors acquire as many shares as they wish and will be allocated electricity production in proportion to their share in the power plant. Ownership of the power station remains with Yverdon-les-Bains Énergies, which ensures its operation and proper functioning.
The energy produced is purchased by Yverdon-les-Bains Energies at cost price until Swissgrid takes over the electricity. In concrete terms, investors simply subscribe to a number of shares and receive an annual payment for the sale of the energy they have helped to produce.
The power station is located on the roof of Aurubis with photovoltaic panels from Schott SA, two companies located in Y-Parc that are participating in the project. With an output of 86.4 kW, its average annual production exceeds 90,000 kWh. The fully recyclable photovoltaic panels are manufactured in Germany and assembled in the Czech Republic, which ensures a favourable grey energy balance.
This concept is part of the Municipality's overall energy strategy, which consists of promoting the decentralised production of renewable energy on the territory of the Commune of Yverdon-les-Bains. The subscription period ended on 31 December 2011. The installation is in service and the first kilowatt-hours were injected into the grid on 31 May 2012.
Following the wishes expressed at the end of 2016 by the Town Council, Yverdon-les-Bains Énergies is considering the development of a second participatory power plant.