Energy
Solar panels in Switzerland: prices and subsidies
Updated 2026-07-28 · 7 min read
Swiss support for photovoltaics rests on three layers: a federal contribution paid by Pronovo, highly variable cantonal grants, and tax relief on the balance. Combined properly, these often cover 35 to 45 per cent of the gross price.
System prices
| Capacity | Area | Gross price (CHF) | Annual output |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kWp | approx. 30 m² | 18,000 – 22,000 | 5,500 – 7,000 kWh |
| 8 kWp | approx. 40 m² | 22,000 – 28,000 | 7,500 – 9,500 kWh |
| 12 kWp | approx. 60 m² | 30,000 – 38,000 | 11,000 – 14,000 kWh |
| 30 kWp | approx. 100 m² | 40,000 – 48,000 | 28,000 – 35,000 kWh |
The Pronovo one-off payment
Pronovo, a Swissgrid subsidiary mandated by the Federal Office of Energy, pays a one-off investment contribution. It covers at most 30 per cent of the investment costs of reference systems and consists of a flat base contribution plus an amount per installed kilowatt.
For a small residential system the base contribution is around CHF 200 to 400 depending on the capacity band, plus roughly CHF 320 to 380 per kilowatt-peak. Rates are revised annually and take effect on 1 April: Pronovo's official calculator remains the only reliable reference when costing a project.
Cantonal grants stack on top
- Geneva: the industrial utility pays a solar premium equal to 25 per cent of the federal payment for any self-consumption system certified by Pronovo
- Vaud: cantonal programme with a self-consumption bonus
- Valais: bonus for installations at altitude, where output is higher
- Some Vaud and Fribourg communes add a third, local layer of support
- The federal payment never reduces entitlement to cantonal grants, and vice versa
Returns: self-consumption decides everything
The feed-in tariff for surplus is set by the local grid operator and varies widely between communes. It is in all cases well below the retail electricity price. A kilowatt-hour used on site is therefore worth considerably more than one exported.
The entire economics rests on shifting usage into production hours: water heater, washing machine, electric vehicle charging. A self-consumption grouping also allows a multi-unit building to share output across several flats and sharply raise the self-consumption rate.
How much does a solar system cost in Switzerland?
CHF 18,000 to 22,000 gross for 6 kWp, and CHF 22,000 to 28,000 for 8 kWp. After grants and tax relief, net cost frequently falls by 35 to 45 per cent.
How do I claim the one-off payment?
The application is filed online with Pronovo once the system is commissioned. The installer usually handles it. Payment follows in the months after the file is validated.
Can federal and cantonal support be combined?
Yes, that is the rule. The one-off payment does not reduce entitlement to cantonal grants, and several communes add local support.
What does exported surplus earn?
The tariff is set by the local grid operator and varies widely by commune. It stays well below the retail price, which is why maximising self-consumption matters.
Is a battery worth it?
It raises the self-consumption rate but remains expensive and is not supported by the one-off payment. Its standalone return is rarely demonstrated for an average household.
Official sources