HSG students enable the construction of solar energy systems

The oikos Solar initiative – backed by around 20 HSG students – links building owners with investors and plant manufacturers to implement solar energy systems in Switzerland. “We founded ourselves at the beginning of 2023, when there was a solar boom due to the energy crisis,” says Loris Kramer, project head of oikos Solar.

The students look for interested roof owners, analyse the suitability of the roofs, obtain offers for installations and look for investors for the projects. With success: in 2024, a project on a cinema in Mendrisio and one on a private house in Horgen were put into operation. For these installations, oikos Solar had partly obtained the investments and linked the various parties involved.

Five more installations planned

Five more solar projects – including three larger ones on a tennis centre, an industrial hall and a school – are currently in the planning stage. “We want to contribute to the energy transition in Switzerland. Sustainability is important to us,” says Kramer, who, like all HSG students in the project, works on a voluntary basis. He is part of the student association oikos St.Gallen, which was founded in 1970 and now runs several projects at HSG.

Kramer and his fellow students are convinced of the potential of solar energy: according to a study by the ZHAW, 40 per cent of Swiss roof surfaces are suitable for solar panels. “But according to a 2022 survey, only 2.5 per cent of these surfaces are actually used for this purpose,” writes oikos Solar.

In addition to sustainability, solar systems on well-aligned roofs in sunny locations are safe and long-term investments, says Kramer. The students were often able to establish contacts with investors thanks to their HSG network.

oikos Solar works without profit motive

Specifically, in the oikos Solar business model, investors receive a quarterly repayment from the roof owners. The roof owners pay this via the electricity fee. The roof owners' electricity costs are lower than they would be if they purchased their electricity from an external source. At the same time, the investors receive compensation for the surplus energy from the plants that is fed into the energy grid. On average, a return of four per cent is achieved, and an investment should be paid off after seven to twelve years. In addition, public funding programmes finance a significant portion of the costs.

oikos Solar takes care of management, including maintenance and insurance. The student project is a non-profit organisation. “We only charge a fee to cover our operating costs,” says Kramer.

oikos Solar is keen to continue developing. According to Kramer, the team is considering becoming more active in the field of consulting. “We have insights into the perspectives of building owners, investors and energy providers. We can provide feedback and recommendations to these different players.”

Learning for professional life

The energy transition is technically, regulatory and financially complex. “We as students are constantly learning as we work.” The students combine their professional backgrounds, with most studying Business Administration or Economics. “One of our members has also completed the HSG certificate in Data Science Fundamentals and programmed a tool for us to evaluate the profitability of our projects. And we also have lawyers in the team.”

The experience gained from oikos Solar is valuable for the world of work: “From project management to investor contacts and customer acquisition, there is a lot to be gained,” says Kramer. Thanks to the insights gained from oikos Solar, many in the team are also considering working in the field of sustainability and energy system transformation after their qualification, he adds.