Source 1: Hydroelectricity — the historical pillar
Hydroelectricity represents around 56–60% of Swiss electricity production depending on the year, thanks to the Alps and their hundreds of reservoir lakes and rivers. It is a renewable, controllable energy (unlike solar and wind), very flexible and with almost zero marginal cost once the dams are built. Switzerland is a powerhouse for Europe in summer: it exports energy to Italy, France and Germany on certain nights. For individuals: you already benefit from hydroelectricity via your network — Switzerland is one of the countries with the most carbon-free electricity production in Europe. Local water production cooperatives (run-of-river) remain an option for investing directly in this source.
Source 2: Photovoltaic solar — energy on the rise
Photovoltaics are experiencing strong growth in Switzerland, driven by the 2050 Energy Strategy, the drop in industrial costs and the Pronovo Single Payment. Profitability remains to be calculated project by project with the purchase price, the injection price, self-consumption and confirmed aid. Unlike hydroelectricity, solar is a source decentralized : each owner can become involved in production if their roof, budget and connection are suitable.
Source 3: Geothermal energy & heat pumps — the future of heating
Geothermal energy is not a source of electricity for individuals in the majority of cases — it is a source of heat. Coupled with a heat pump (PAC), it uses the stable ground temperature (10–13°C at 1,5 m depth) to heat homes very efficiently: for 1 kWh of electricity consumed by the heat pump, you obtain 3–5 kWh of heat (COP 3–5). In Switzerland, there are two uses: (1) Residential geothermal heat pump (vertical probes up to 200m or horizontal loops) — the most efficient solution for individual heating. (2) Deep geothermal energy (collective projects like Vinzel in French-speaking Switzerland or Greater Geneva) — production of water at 50–150°C for district heating networks. Residential geothermal energy is today the most energy-efficient and CO₂-emission heating solution available on the market.