The municipality of Yverdon-les-Bains is launching a project for a participatory solar power plant. The concept consists in proposing to the inhabitants to invest in a photovoltaic power plant and to produce green electricity themselves. The energy will be bought back at cost price by the Energy Department 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 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 plant remains with the Energy Service, which is responsible for its operation and proper functioning.
The energy produced is bought back by the Energy Service 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. Financial projections based on standard sunshine scenarios suggest a return on investment of 2.7%.
The power plant will be built on the roof of Aurubis Switzerland AG using photovoltaic panels from Schott Suisse AG, two Y-Park companies participating in the project. Its average annual production is estimated at 88,000 kWh and it has an output of 85 kW. The photovoltaic panels are manufactured in Germany and assembled in the Czech Republic, which ensures a very low 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 municipality of Yverdon-les-Bains. Subscriptions are open to all companies and individuals residing in Yverdon-les-Bains and the municipalities of the aggloY, as well as to employees of the municipality.
Investing in the Yverdon solar power plant project means..:
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To participate concretely in the development of renewable energies in the region.
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Avoid installation and maintenance problems.
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Take advantage of the cost-covering remuneration for green energy.