Energy autonomy for a building – Switzerland (CH)

Installer Interview

The installation was carried out by LidER Concept with the support of our distributor Solexis. We met Mr Gippa who was in charge of the thermal part of the installation.

The Gippa company has been working for 4 generations and has 105 years of presence on Aigle! Currently, the company employs about thirty people, a CVS (Heating, Ventilation, Sanitary) design office and a 24-hour breakdown service. The company offers all types of heating systems, with a strong increase in demand for heat pumps and gas these days.

Why install solar panels on the building?

Julien Gippa: It’s still important to install solar panels so as not to use the heat pump or a gas or oil system in the summer. What’s more, it’s also an obligation!
Daniel Lani (LidER): For an owner, first of all you have to meet the legal requirements and, as already mentioned by Mr. Gippa, the idea of also valorising the heat input for this building was a decisive element compared to a purely PV solution.

Why install DualSun 2-in-1 solar panels?

Julien Gippa: Because on this project, balconies and windows take up space on the available roof surface, so we needed a compact system such as the DualSun system.
Daniel Lani (LidER): With the DualSun solution, we can meet the multi-energy needs while occupying a minimum of space. This is very important in the collective housing located in the city centre in view of the limited areas involved.

How did you hear about DualSun?

First through the website, then I learned that LidER Concept as a DualSun partner could provide the panels and the whole photovoltaic part, so it was easy.

How did the installation go?

It was the first time we installed DualSun so we had to look at the specifics of the system. It was also necessary to optimize the roof surface with several separate fields of panels, which was not always simple but everything went well.

What vision do you have of solar energy 20 years from now?

I hope that in 20 years time we will have 60-70% of our energy needs covered by solar energy. In the canton of Vaud we are already well on the way because it is compulsory. People complain that it is expensive, but on a 1 million franc villa, spending 15,000 francs on solar energy is nothing.
So the obligation is a good thing, but we should also look at subsidies to install solar energy on existing housing.

In your opinion, why develop solar energy?

Because as long as there is a profitability it is already interesting and important. In Switzerland we lack a bit of sunshine, so it’s a pity, but we also want to get out of nuclear power. We would need more subsidies for that. I think we will come to that because it is a renewable energy that is relatively easily available. So there is the economy dimension and the nature preservation dimension.

Would you recommend DualSun to your family and friends?

Yes, in fact we have a second construction site for a villa.