Sweden is well known for its leadership in sustainability and energy system transformation; however solar photovoltaics have typically been left out. Recently, small residential systems have been gaining support through capital rebate subsidies and a number of utilities have begun offering modest net metering or feed-in tariff programs. There is a component of the Swedish residential sector with larger and more interesting potential; cooperative multi-family housing.

Cooperative ownership structures are common in Sweden, accounting for nearly 20% of the total housing stock and growing at a compound rate of 2% per year. Cooperatives are considered residences except they have the possibility to install commercial sized systems up to 2.5 MW_p in size. This means they can leverage greater economies of scale over detached homes making them a more interesting target for solar installations. While the system is commercial in scale, features of commercial development like complicated financing, tax structures, and renewable energy credit markets are just as daunting to a cooperative as a villa owner.

This study is the introduction to a three year research program to be conducted from the cooperative point of view of installing solar PV. Included is a review of the current technical, economic and policy conditions in Sweden, a brief case study and proposals for future studies. Simulations are performed using the System Advisor Model from NREL. Results show that the levelized cost of energy can be competitive with retail rates, but maximized deployment may require some form of preferential metering.