Between solar ambitions and economic reality, Initiative 191 and its counter-proposal are clashing over the direction to give to the energy transition. Behind the slogans and promises, one question remains: who will pay the bill? For small homeowners, the answer is far from trivial.
In the canton, Initiative 191 aims to require the installation of photovoltaic panels on all suitable surfaces by 2035, an appealing vision but with significant concrete consequences. Equipping a 100 m² roof costs around 30,000 francs, not counting the scaffolding-essential but rarely mentioned-which adds several thousand francs to the bill. For small homeowners, the total quickly becomes difficult to bear.
The reality on the ground is also that of a strained market. Six months ago, a shortage of materials, mostly imported from China, highlighted the fragility of the supply chain. This dependency can drive up prices or delay renovations, exposing homeowners to additional uncertainties. In this context, imposing such an investment on all owners, without distinction, is unrealistic. Large players will be able to absorb the shock, but for small independents or families, the bill may be insurmountable.
Behind the promise of a solar Geneva, there is thus the risk of a divide between those who can keep up and those who will be left behind. The counter-proposal, for its part, suggests a more gradual transition, taking into account the economic and human constraints weighing on the less well-off. It has a major advantage: its implementation would be immediate, starting the month after the vote, thus allowing the transition to accelerate concretely without waiting for a new law to be drawn up. For while the desire to accelerate the energy transition is shared, it cannot ignore the reality of small homeowners’ budgets, nor the complexity of a market where labor and materials are not available at the snap of a finger.
Do you have a sustainable renovation project or questions about energy efficiency? Contact the Sustainable Renovation Service for personalized support.
Phone: +41 22 322 55 52
Email: renovation@pilet-renaud.ch
Find the debate on RTS here.
