Photovoltaic systems are in great demand today. However, construction money is not always available.
The large municipalities of Mitte, GLP, EVP, SP and Verdi are demanding that the canton provide a basis for people to obtain loans for the construction of a photovoltaic system on their building. This is because not all homeowners have enough free funds to do this.
As part of the solar offensive, the canton should provide everything needed to be able to grant cantonal loans for the installation of photovoltaic systems. This is what councilors Thomas Baumann (Verdi), Ralf Bucher (center, spokesperson), Gian von Planta (GLP), Martin Brügger (SP), Andre Rotzetter (center) and Uriel Seibert (PPE) ask in a motion.
They justify their claim with the fact that the expansion of solar systems must be multiplied to achieve the objectives of the energy strategy and the conversion to renewable energies. Existing roof areas are particularly suitable for this. Despite the company’s high willingness to build photovoltaic systems, expansion is insufficient.
Opportunity for homeowners without capital
The partially lacking capital of the owners plays a role not to be underestimated, the motionmakers believe. This is also because the feed-in tariff reaches the owner only a few months after the system is put into service. In the future, profitability will be even greater, given the sharp rise in electricity prices, and the critical point would often only be the lack of liquidity. This challenge must be met with a loan for a photovoltaic system.
Since the loans are repayable, the canton’s financial obligations are limited, according to the motionmakers. It is more about guaranteeing liquidity for citizens, who invest in the canton’s security of supply.
According to his response, the government rejects the initiative. Make it clear that they all have the same goal. There was agreement that massive expansion would be needed to achieve the goal of the energy strategy. But there are already enough funding tools. In addition, further increases in the price of electricity and incentive tariffs are expected. Photovoltaic systems are generally profitable “if the system can be built at normal market prices and without particular aesthetic, static, grid connection requirements, etc.”.
“There are enough financing offers in the private sector”
There are enough offers in the private sector to finance such a scheme on single-family homes, condominium owners associations or SMEs. If the terms of a public loan are more favorable than a mortgage from a private sector institution, “the taxpayer would ultimately have to bear the risk of the loan,” warns the government.
The public loan would be used mainly when the affordability (sufficient income) and security (sufficient real estate value) for a mortgage are not granted. Consequently, the canton, as lender or reinsurer, would assume the corresponding risks if the transaction were processed through an independent institution. If the methods were designed to cover costs, the costs for the loan would be higher than those for a private mortgage due to the additional risks (such as default by the debtor).
In light of these considerations, the Governing Council “does not consider it necessary to establish a cantonal loan for PV systems in addition to existing and planned support measures at national level and indirect measures at cantonal level”.
