In various studies, both the Swedish Energy Agency and the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise have concluded that Sweden will consume 190-200 TWh of electricity per year in the future. To meet the demand, EnergiEngagemang sees solar parks as an excellent complement to current energy sources.
– “Solar energy can be expanded quickly and can effectively relieve the power grid,” says Jonas Weissglas, marketing manager at EnergiEngagemang, which recently built Sweden’s largest solar park outside Strängnäs.

Solar energy in general, and large-scale solar energy in particular, plays a very important role in strengthening the Swedish energy system. By expanding solar parks, Sweden can meet rising demand as a complement to established energy sources. – We think it is important to see solar energy as a marketable complement rather than classifying it as an alternative energy source. “The rate of deployment around the world shows that solar energy is a force to be reckoned with,” says Jonas Weissglas, listing five clear benefits:

1. Quick and cheap to build
   Building a large solar farm takes about one year, including time for preparation. Compared to many other energy sources, solar energy is the fastest energy source to build. The short time frame also contributes to the relatively low cost of construction.
2. Producing when we consume
   Everything from factories to offices and schools that start up in the morning when the sun rises, shut down again when the sun sets. Since we humans are active during the daylight hours, the solar energy production curve fits very well with the electricity consumption curve.
3. Producing when nuclear power has an audit
   Typically, nuclear power plant reactors shut down during the summer months for planned maintenance stops. It is also during the summer months that solar cells naturally produce the most energy. More solar energy can better relieve the grid when nuclear power plants are not producing as much.
4. Producing when there is no wind
   During high pressure in the summer, solar energy produces the maximum amount of energy. This usually coincides with when there is minimal wind. In the spring and fall months when the wind is strong, wind power is efficient and produces a lot of energy. Solar energy is a good complement that produces when wind power does not.
5. Saving energy in water reservoirs
   Like solar and wind power, hydropower is weather dependent. The more precipitation the better. When summers are dry, it is good to be able to conserve resources. With an expansion of solar energy, it is possible to save water in reservoirs and ponds for the winter.

More companies will own their energy production in the future.

In cooperation with HSB Södermanland, EnergiEngagemang has recently inaugurated a solar park in Strängnäs – an initiative that Jonas Helander thinks more people should take.
– Companies that choose to build solar parks actively contribute to accelerating the expansion of new fossil-free energy production. Being able to own your own energy production is common in Europe today and I see it as a natural development in Sweden.

By complementing wind and hydropower with solar energy, we can take advantage of all weather types and stabilize electricity production throughout the year. Today, about 0.5 percent of the electricity grid comes from solar energy, but there is room to expand 20 times more than today.