Renewable energies
Basel Solar Attack: Photovoltaics are also mandatory on existing buildings
Basel-Stadt lags behind in canton solar energy production. Now this needs to be expanded widely. The government is calling for solar energy systems to be made mandatory in existing buildings as well. In addition, rules on regulations in protected areas will be relaxed.
IWB operates one of the city's largest solar energy systems at the exhibition halls. Both individuals and the canton are also expected to expand significantly in the next few years.
Basel-Stadt is a leader in many areas of climate and energy policy. Since 2009, for example, all the electricity consumed in the city canton has been generated from renewable energies. However, when it comes to exploiting PV potential, it lags behind all other cantons. This is due, among other things, to the low proportion of owner-occupied homes and, conversely, to the high proportion of existing buildings in the city.
This is where Basel's new solar offensive comes in: the current PV requirements for new buildings should also be expanded to include existing buildings. This is what the government proposes in the new advice it put forward for consultation on Monday.
Kasper Sutter: “Don't discuss regulations only in the Alps”
When it comes to expanding solar energy, you can't just talk about large-scale systems in the Alps: “We have an obligation to contribute here in the city as well,” Economic and Environmental Director Caspar Sutter (SP) told the media on Monday.
In the future, there will be a need to build solar energy systems on all “good to very good” roofs and facades in Basel-Stadt. The current solar record provides information about the buildings included. Affected property owners have 15 years to comply with this requirement. If you do not comply with this, a replacement fee will be charged.
Government advisor Caspar Sutter has campaigned for the expansion of e-charging stations in the city. Decarbonizing mobility could also increase electricity consumption in Basel.
In addition, legal rules are being relaxed: solar energy systems were previously effectively banned in the historic city centers of Basel, Rhehen and Bettingen. That must change. In the future, solar energy systems will generally be possible as part of the building permit procedure. The same applies to photovoltaic systems at monuments of cantonal and national importance.
Solar systems in Münsterhügel are likely to remain isolated cases
However, this does not mean that Cathedral Hill will be paved with solar systems in the coming years: these will remain isolated cases in the cityscape protection area, and requirements there are still high, Sutter said: “The main thing is that we are now outside the areas,” Sutter explained. Mentioned “Exploiting the potential” There are still many areas – for example on flat roofs – that are very suitable and easy to build on.
In addition, the canton, as owner of the property, wants to move forward with the expansion of photovoltaics. He wants to double his portfolio from the current 58 investments to 135 by 2030. Today, solar systems installed in the city can supply electricity to about 8,000 households of four people. The proposed attack now aims to double production.
If the full potential according to the solar registry is exploited, the city of Basel-Stadt could cover about 60 percent of its current electricity needs through the systems in the canton.
Lifelong foodaholic. Professional twitter expert. Organizer. Award-winning internet geek. Coffee advocate.