Asset

Solar energy

In its core business of solar energy, Alpiq focuses on integrating photovoltaic electricity into the energy system. We prioritise activities and investments in areas where we can make a significant contribution to strengthening security of supply and protecting the climate. 

 

 

Solar energy 

As a natural and environmentally friendly source of energy, solar energy makes an important contribution to CO2-free electricity generation. Like wind energy, solar energy is a decentralised producer that is dependent on the weather and whose fluctuations must be balanced out. Our photovoltaic systems are among the largest energy producers of their kind in Switzerland and Italy. 

Italy: Società Agricola Solar Farm 4 photovoltaic plant 

The Naro photovoltaic plant is located in the province of Agrigento on the Italian Mediterranean island of Sicily, in a large agricultural enterprise covering an area of 33 ha. The PV system with thin-film modules is installed on greenhouses that cover a cultivation area of around 12 ha. The Naro PV system has a capacity of 8.4 MW, has been in operation since 2011 and was taken over by Alpiq in 2018. 

Italy: Società Agricola Solar Farm 2 photovoltaic plant

Società Agricola Solar Farm 2 is a company that operates photovoltaic plants and greenhouses equipped with PV modules on the Italian Mediterranean island of Sicily. The company owns four plants at the locations Cammarata, San Michele Ganzaria, Campofranco and Monte Mele. They have a combined capacity of 5,190 kW, have been in operation since 2011 and have been part of Alpiq since 2018. 

Facts & figures Società Agricola Solar Farm 2

Plant Type

Photovoltaic

Locations:

Cammarata, San Michele di Ganzaria, Campofranco, Monte Mele (Italy)

Capacity:

5,190 kW (2,918 kW + 859 kW + 695 kW + 718 kW)

Shareholding:

100 %

Commissioning:

2011

Average annual production:

7.0 GWh (3.7 GWh + 1.2 GWh + 1 GWh + 1.1 GWh)

Guided tours:

No

Status:

In service

Facts & figures Società Agricola Solar Farm 4

Plant type:

Photovoltaic

Location:

Naro (Italy)

Capacity:

8.408 MW

Shareholding:

100%

Commissioning:

2011

Average annual production:

13.5 GWh

Guided tours:

No

Status:

In service

Agricola Solar Farm 2 / Agricola Solar Farm 4

Our solar energy projects at a glance

Solar energy

Gondosolar

Gondosolar – a joint project between initiator Renato Jordan, the municipality of Gondo-Zwischbergen and Energie Electrique du Simplon (EES) – supports the long-term energy and climate goals of Switzerland and the canton of Valais. The alpine photovoltaic project is planned above the village of Gondo in the canton of Valais. Thanks to its optimal location at over 2000 metres above sea level and the particularly favourable solar radiation, Gondosolar will produce around 18 million kilowatt hours annually – around 40% of which will be generated during the winter months.

More information (German)
Solar energy

Prafleuri

The Prafleuri Alpine solar project, developed by Grande Dixence SA, Oiken, FMV, Génédis and the municipalities of Hérémence and Sion in partnership with Alpiq, aims to construct a high-altitude photovoltaic installation in the Combe de Prafleuri. This site, located at an altitude of 2,800 metres, was formerly used as a quarry for the construction of the Grande Dixence dam and offers various synergies in terms of logistics and power connections. The plan is to achieve an estimated production potential of 14 GWh per year. This corresponds to the annual consumption of more than 5,500 households. At the Prafleuri plant, a new type of concept for the substructure is currently being tested: the bifacial solar panels are mounted on wooden structures. Bifacial photovoltaic modules are active on both sides and particularly efficient at high altitudes thanks to snow reflection.

Sufer Solar solar project, Switzerland
Solar energy

Sufers Solar

The Sufers Solar project, developed by the municipality of Sufers (Graubünden) in collaboration with Alpiq, aims to build an alpine photovoltaic facility at the Lärcha and Platta sites below the Glattabärg. The chosen site consists of pastures that are no longer in use; they will therefore be preserved from overgrowth by vegetation and can be reused after construction. This innovative project uses a system of cables to suspend the solar panels, reducing the impact on the ground and allowing the inclination of the panels to be adjusted according to the position of the sun. Annual production is estimated at 13 GWh, equivalent to the average annual consumption of 3,500 households.

Engadin Solar, Samedan, Switzerland
Solar energy

Engadin Solar

In Graubünden, Alpiq is participating in the Samedan solar power plant. The plant, with a capacity of 14.5 MWp, is planned between the Engadin municipality's airfield and the river Flaz. When fully completed, it is expected to produce up to 19 GWh of electricity. The PV project received the approval of the municipal assembly in July 2023. As soon as the building permit is granted, the project planners – in addition to Alpiq, these are the energy supplier Energia Samedan and TNC Consulting AG – intend to found the project company Energia Solara Engiadinaisa SA. The plant, which is planned in several stages, should be fully connected to the grid by the end of 2028.

More information (German)
«Grands Plans» solar project, Grimentz, Switzerland
Solar energy

Grimentz

In the canton of Valais, Alpiq is planning the ‘Grands Plans’ solar project with its partners, the municipality of Anniviers, Remontées Méchaniques Grimentz-Zinal and the energy company Oiken. The solar park, located at an altitude of 2,450 metres, has excellent solar radiation and is situated in the middle of the ski resort, making it an ideal location. With an installed capacity of around 10.5 MWp, the PV project has the potential to meet the annual electricity needs of around 4,000 households.

More information (French)
Belalp solar project, Switzerland
Solar energy

Belalp Solar

The Belalp Solar project in the canton of Valais aims to produce 12 GWh of renewable electricity per year on an area of 73,000 square metres at an altitude of 2,600 to 2,700 metres, with around 43 per cent of this being generated in winter. The project partners are the municipality of Naters, the citizens of Naters, EnBAG, FMV and Alpiq. The plant is to be built in the middle of the Belalp ski resort and will benefit from the existing electrical infrastructure. Following the double ‘yes’ vote in the referendum on 24 November 2024 by the citizens and municipality of Naters in favour of the solar plant in the ‘Hohbiel’ area, the project partners will submit the building application to the Canton of Valais in 2025.

All our operating solar energy assets