The Swiss policy lab focuses on alpine solar development, a topic that involves sensitive trade-offs between climate goals and the preservation of mountain landscapes, including the biodiversity and ecosystem services they support.
Participants include a diverse set of stakeholders: local residents, environmental NGOs, public administration representatives, and climate advocates. Each was asked to select one or more photos and share reflections related to solar energy in the Alps.
The booklet aims to visually and narratively explore how people perceive the benefits and risks of alpine solar installations. It sheds light on shared concerns such as protecting untouched landscapes and ensuring inclusive decision-making while also capturing different motivations for supporting or opposing specific developments. These perspectives provide insight into the values and priorities that influence how stakeholders engage with alpine solar development.
“If we need new alpine solar installations, they should be built in already developed and accessible areas. The loss of refuges for people and wildlife in already dense alpine environments is a real concern.”
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“Yes, this place would be suitable for an alpine solar installation as it was already used as a dam or something similar.”
“In the foreground of the image, a dam wall and reservoir can be seen. The location of the PV installation is therefore in an already intensively used area. As a result, the construction of the alpine PV system causes less additional disruption to nature and the landscape than it would if the PV installation were built in a still untouched alpine region.”
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“For me, this shows that the mountains and our alpine landscapes in Switzerland must and can meet a variety of needs. The image shows that hiking, agriculture, and increasingly, energy production can all coexist side by side.”
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“I find the place beautiful, and I would find it even more beautiful without the infrastructure. Still, it wouldn't bother me much while hiking through. Looking to the future, I’m concerned about the strong forest growth and the resulting shading of the solar installations. Therefore, the use of this area should be coupled with forest management interventions over the next 10 years.”
“The area has a long history of intensive use and is fundamentally well suited for alpine farming and tourism activities. Preserving it would mean continuing similar uses but that’s not absolutely necessary. The type and intensity of use can change in line with evolving needs. Including renewable energy is conceivable, especially since the area is already developed. However, the implementation shown here is a negative example, both visually and in terms of technical and logistical aspects.”
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“Generally, I think this place is well suited for alpine solar installation (due to development and existing use). However, snow and avalanche risk must be taken into account.”
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