Going beyond expectations: Geneva’s overachieving solar thermal plant

Geneva, Switzerland

When it comes to Geneva’s heat detox, the highlight is the impressive solar thermal plant, which has exceeded expectations and proven to be extremely efficient.

heating and cooling

Mitigation

Known as a center for diplomacy and as the world’s “Peace Capital”, Geneva is also one of the most liveable cities in the world. More recently, the city has embarked on a full heat detox, in order to provide its citizens with healthier heat.

An impressive solar-infused detox

Three years since it started operating, the large solar thermal plant in Geneva proved to be a very effective carbon free solution for the city’s district heating system. Indeed, between 2021 and 2023, the solar thermal plant allowed Geneva to save 385 tonnes of CO2 emissions, while working all year round.

Debunking solar heat myths and exceeding expectations

Geneva’s solar plant was able to provide the city with >80 ° water all year round, even with poor weather conditions – including days in which the panels were covered with snow. During 2021’s winter, the system reached its setpoint temperature in 96 out of 102 days, proving that solar thermal heat can consistently supply heat, almost every day, without having required maintenance or cleaning on the solar panels.

A diverse detox mix

Adding to this impressive solar thermal plant, Geneva’s DHC can also count with biomass boilers and geothermal sources to reach higher percentages of renewables in its heating system.