Switzerland: New rules for solar systems have been in effect since the beginning of 2025
The rules for Swiss photovoltaic system operators will change over the next two years. In a vote on June 19, 2024, the new Electricity Act was approved by a majority of 69 percent of Swiss citizens. On November 20, 2024, the Federal Council also adopted the first implementing regulations. Wieland Hinz, specialist for renewable energies at the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), presented these the day before at this year's Swissolar autumn conference, the Solar Update 2024, in Bern.
New rules came into force at the turn of the yearThe regulations will be passed in two packages. The first, now adopted, will enter into force on January 1, 2025. It includes, among other things, new regulations on subsidies, increased expansion of winter electricity, and regulations for virtual self-consumption associations (ZEV). The second package contains regulations that require a certain transitional period. This concerns the obligation to purchase solar power, the new option for local electricity communities (LEG), including grid usage charges, new metering regulations, and remuneration for flexibility.
Bonus for solar parking spaces and solar facadesNext year, however, investors in new solar systems can initially look forward to higher compensation. There will be a bonus on top of the one-time payment for solar parking lot roofs of CHF 250 per kilowatt of installed capacity. The prerequisite is that the solar carports have a capacity of at least 100 kilowatts.
In addition, the bonus for solar facades will be increased. The additional subsidy for systems with a tilt of at least 75 degrees will rise from 100 to 200 francs per kilowatt for freestanding systems. If these systems are integrated into the building, the so-called tilt angle bonus will increase from 150 to 400 francs per kilowatt.
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Investment grants are decreasingWieland Hinz points out, however, that the one-time subsidy will decrease as of April 1, 2025. For systems with a capacity of up to 30 kilowatts, the subsidy will then be CHF 360 per kilowatt, down from the previous CHF 380. If the system is integrated into the building envelope, the investment subsidy will decrease from CHF 420 to CHF 400 per kilowatt. However, the higher tilt angle bonus will be available if the system is integrated into the facade.
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For systems with a capacity of more than 100 kilowatts, the one-time payment will decrease from CHF 270 to CHF 250 per kilowatt. "This issue isn't particularly controversial and will likely continue," says Wieland Hinz. "In return, the cost-covering feed-in tariff (KEV) will return in the form of a market premium."
Tenders for market premiums plannedSpecifically, this involves the introduction of tenders for floating market premiums for solar power produced. This means that the electricity fed into the grid is sold on the market, and the federal government makes up the difference between the sales proceeds and the guaranteed remuneration. If the electricity is sold at a price above this guaranteed remuneration, the plant operator must repay the difference to the federal government. As is customary in other countries, the lowest bids win at the auctions. However, there are additional bonuses for plants with an inclination angle of over 75 degrees: one centime per kilowatt-hour, for solar parking lot roofs: 2.2 centime per kilowatt-hour, and for plants high in the Alps: 0.7 centime per kilowatt-hour.
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Supply electricity to various buildingsIn addition, the virtual meter model for communally operated solar systems on multi-family homes (ZEV) will become possible next year. Unlike previous regulations, the connection line will be usable up to the property's grid connection. This will enable self-consumption across multiple buildings on a property, provided they share the same grid connection. Furthermore, ZEVs will now be allowed to use the distribution network operator's meters and will no longer need to install their own meters. These meters will then also serve as the interface to the virtual ZEV.
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Increase self-consumptionDavid Stickelberger, Head of Market and Policy at Swissolar, sees these regulations as a great opportunity for virtual grid integration. "Because they will make it possible to include larger areas and combine different consumption patterns. This, in turn, increases self-consumption," he explained at the Solar Update 2024, referring to the expected regulations.
Self-consumption remains the key to the profitability of solar systems, emphasizes David Stickelberger. The higher this level, the more profitable the generator. "You have to play with self-consumption," he advises solar system installers and operators. (see below)
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