In Switzerland, a 70 m² roof-integrated photovoltaic system costs around CHF 30,000 after deducting the federal subsidy and the tax allowance. The panels last 25 to 30 years and the investment often pays for itself within 10 to 15 years. Solar power was already covering around 10 per cent of Switzerland’s electricity consumption in 2024.
How much does a solar installation cost?
| Component | Approximate price |
|---|---|
| Roof-integrated system, approx. 70 m² | approx. CHF 30,000 after grants and tax relief |
| 5 to 10 kWh storage battery | approx. CHF 5,000 to 10,000 |
| Lifespan of the panels | approx. 25 to 30 years |
| Payback period | often 10 to 15 years |
Sources: Swissolar and HelloSafe. The price depends on the roof area, orientation and pitch, the type of installation and the canton: only quotes are binding.
Add-on or integrated installation?
- Add-on: the panels are fixed on top of the existing roof covering. This is the most common and cheapest solution.
- Integrated: the panels replace the roof tiles and form part of the roof. More aesthetically pleasing, and a good option when the roof needs to be re-tiled anyway. Pronovo provides greater support for integrated installations.
Grants: 3 levels
- The Swiss Confederation provides a one-off grant (Pronovo), which must be applied for after the system is commissioned.
- Some cantons and many municipalities offer their own grants, which often need to be applied for before work begins.
- The panels are also tax-deductible, depending on your canton.
1. The one-off payment from Pronovo
The Swiss Confederation supports photovoltaic systems through a one-off payment, administered by Pronovo. The amount depends on the system’s capacity, its type (add-on or integrated) and its commissioning date. For installations under 100 kW, the application is made after commissioning, often by the installer; payment is usually made within a year (Swissolar).
Bonuses are available, for example for panels with a steep angle (on façades) or at high altitudes. Pronovo provides an online calculator to estimate the exact amount.
2. The canton and the municipality
Some cantons and many municipalities provide additional support for solar energy. In the canton of Vaud, for example, roof or façade insulation combined with solar panels may qualify for a higher subsidy for the insulation (100 CHF/m² instead of 70 CHF/m²) (Vaud). To find out about the grants available in your municipality, visit francsenergie.ch. Please note: these grants often need to be applied for before the work begins.
3. Taxes
The installation may be deducted from your taxable income in accordance with your canton’s rules. The grant received is then deducted from the amount declared.
See the financial assistance available in your canton →
Is it cost-effective?
The installation is all the more cost-effective the more of the electricity you generate that you consume yourself, as electricity purchased from the grid costs more than the electricity you sell back. To increase self-consumption:
- run your washing machine, dishwasher and water heater during the day;
- combine the solar panels with a heat pump or an electric car charging point;
- a battery increases self-consumption, but it’s expensive: work out whether it’s cost-effective for you.
If your roof needs re-roofing within the next 5 to 10 years, have it done before or at the same time as the solar panels are installed. Dismantling and re-installing a system is expensive.
The stages of a solar project
- Check your roof’s potential: orientation, pitch, shading. The federal website toitsolaire.ch provides an initial estimate.
- Get quotes from certified installers for the same power output and equipment.
- Apply for cantonal and local authority grants if these need to be applied for before work begins.
- Notify the municipality of the project: for a roof in a development zone, a simple notification is often sufficient; a listed building requires planning permission.
- Installation and commissioning, with connection by the network operator.
- Apply for the one-off payment from Pronovo after commissioning.
