HKN certificate of origin for electricity
Swiss Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) regulation regarding the certification of the means of production and the origin of electricity
Incentive
For non-photovoltaic systems with a nominal alternating current output of no more than 30 kVA and photovoltaic systems over 100 kW, certification is only permitted by accredited auditors from the Swiss Accreditation Service (SAS).
The certification of the systems must be carried out by an auditor accredited by the Swiss Accreditation Service (SAS) for the relevant specialist area. The certification must be carried out as part of an on-site audit and examination of the documents submitted.
Outcome
The certification is a decisive step towards transparency, market integration and the promotion of renewable energies in Switzerland and beyond.
Target groups
The HKN Electricity Certificate of Origin applies to renewable energy power plants that generate electricity from the following sources: hydropower, biomass, geothermal energy, wind power and photovoltaics.
Validity
The HKN Electricity Certificate of Origin is time-limited and must be renewed regularly to ensure the correctness and eligibility of the system. Operators should find out about expiry dates and necessary re-audits in good time.
Recognition
The HKN Electricity Certificate of Origin is nationally and internationally recognised and tradable. The HKNs are based on the European Energy Certificate Standard ‘EECS’ and fulfil the requirements of European legislation. The SQS service is accredited to the highest standards by the SAS.
Combinations
The certification cannot be combined with other certifications.