Photovoltaic systems for power generation

Subsidy amounts per kWp of installed electrical DC power (valid as of 01.01.2023): 

• a.) 500.- CHF/kWp for roof areas of new buildings¹
• b.) 650.- CHF/kWp for existing roof areas u. roof-independent systems¹
• c.) 750.- CHF/ kWp for vertical plants (facades and the like)²

Own consumption or feed back into the grid: The electricity can, as far as possible, be used itself. The remuneration of the electricity fed back into the grid is paid in accordance with Art. 17 EEG on the basis of the market-oriented price. If a defined minimum remuneration is not achieved over a calendar year, the payment of a compensation contribution³ takes place in the following year.

System size: Max. 250 kWp, larger plants can be promoted as "Other plant" according to Art. 15 EEG.

^{1 Definition and delimitation: A building is considered 5 years from building permit as a new building. For older buildings, the subsidy is assured for existing roof areas. So the basis is the date of the building permit and the date of application for the decision.}

^{2 Bifacial and rear PV modules: To apply for the one-time investment contribution under the subsidy of photovoltaic systems, the nominal power at STC from the front side of the bifacial solar modules is specified. The additional power of the back side of bifacial solar modules or back side mounted modules (module to module e.g. for vertical fences with east/west orientation) is not taken into account. Thus, the power of the back side is assumed to be 0 Watt.}

^{3  Art. 17 para. 2) 2b) EEG "The compensation contribution according to para. 2a shall be calculated from the difference between the annual minimum remuneration and the average annual market-oriented Pprice, which could be achieved at a defined reference production in Germany. To determine the average annual market-oriented price, the market-oriented price shall be multiplied by the corresponding production volumes in identical time intervals and divided by the total production volume. A negative annual balancing contribution is valued at zero."} 

Transitional regulation: Regarding the adjustment of EEG and EEV (coming into force on 01.01.2023), the following transitional regulation then applies to pending applications:

• The old law applies if the funding application has been submitted in full to the Energy Agency by mail by 31.12.2022. 

• The technical concept must be clearly defined, the technical data and data sheets and all documents necessary for the assessment must be conclusive and signed in paper form by 31.12.2022. Submissions by e-mail are not sufficient.

• Excepted from this are building permits that have not yet been issued. These can be submitted subsequently, but the application for a building permit must have been submitted to the competent body (AHR, formerly ABI) by 31.12.2022 

• Also excluded from this are connection permits for power generation plants that have not yet been issued. These can be submitted subsequently, but the application for connection permit for power generation plants must be submitted by 31.12.2022 at the competent body (truck) have been submitted.

• PV_Bestandsgebäude, Mietobjekt mit nur einem Mieter
• PV_Bestandsgebäude Einfamilienhaus, Eigenverbrauchsmodell
• PV_Anlage Bestandsgebäude Gebäude mit mehreren Endkunden, z.B. Mehrfamilienhaus, vermietet
• PV_Förderung von kleinen, mittleren und grossen Unternehmen, Beihilferecht
• PV_ Industrie/ Gewerbe im Bestandsgebäude als Mietobjekt, ein Mieter mit 33% Eigenverbrauch
• PV_ Industrie/ Gewerbe im Bestandsgebäude als Mietobjekt, ein Mieter mit 66% Eigenverbrauch

• Photovoltaic systems are subject to building permits.
• Only new, state of the art plants, plant components as well as devices are to be used.

Recommendation for vertical plants For vertical plants should be used module-by-module power optimizers or microinverters, this to prevent a significant inadmissible yield loss due to partial shading.

Recommendation for the measurement of self-consumption The measurement takes place in the self-consumption model by means of a meter, which can record the purchase and feed-in simultaneously. Self-consumed electricity is not covered by the measurement. It is important that consumption takes place as far as possible simultaneously with production. Through organizational measures (controllable relevant consumers such as heat pumps, heat pump boilers, cooling systems, electric cars, etc.), the degree of self-supply and thus the amount of electricity not drawn can be significantly increased.

Commencement of construction/forfeiture of the claim The claim to the payment of subsidies expires if the measures are started before a legally binding assurance of the subsidies is available.

Refunding Funding contributions are only paid once for each measure; renewed funding of the same measure is only possible after 20 years.

Project author Funding contributions will only be paid if expert planning and execution of the measures is guaranteed.

Termination The assurance of the subsidy is limited in time according to Art. 25 EEG. The measure shall be started within one year from the decision on the granting of subsidies and shall be completed within two years. 

Other regulations The measure shall not be subsidized if it is mandatory due to other legal regulations according to Art 4. para. 2a EEG (e.g. superstructure plan, air conditioning, swimming pool heating, conversion, etc.).

Switch from fixed feed-in tariff (option 1) to market-based price of the grid operator

Productors of photovoltaic electricity can switch from the fixed feed-in tariff model (e.g. 10 Rp/kWh for 10 years) after acceptance and payment of the subsidy EEG Art. 17 para. 2a.) and EEV Art. 13 once to the market-oriented price according to EEG Art. 17 para.1 change. A re-entry and a re-admission to the system of fixed feed-in tariff after a producer-initiated exit is no longer possible. The change from a fixed feed-in tariff (Art. 17 para. 2) to the market-oriented price (Art. 17 para. 1) can be made (with at least 30 days notice) at the end of the billing period (for PV systems >30 kVA monthly or PV systems <30 kVA per quarter). If the change is made in connection with conversion work on the metering equipment (e.g. new electrical distribution with meter consolidation), the change can be made on the installation date of the new meter(s). Again, a notice period of at least 30 days applies. A change must be announced to the network operator (truck) with the above lead times. (As of 09/29/22)

Change to self-promotion

You can opt out of the fixed feed-in tariff model (10 Rp/kWh for 10 years) once you have taken delivery and paid the subsidy, but you cannot opt in again. There can be no guarantee for the future in this case, because it is a market price. > [email protected]

Art. 5 EEV: "If a system operator who, at the time of commissioning of his system, has opted to claim the fixed feed-in tariff pursuant to Art. 17(2) or the market-based price pursuant to Art. 17(1) of the Act, wishes to market his electricity himself, he may terminate the agreement with the grid operator with effect from the end of a calendar year subject to a three-month notice period." -29.09.22 -

Energy Commission Impulse Program 08/31/2021

The Energy Commission made the decision on 31.08.2021, to extend the impulse program line expansion outside the building zone beyond the set limit of 1 MWp in connection with photovoltaic systems. Further applications can be made, although the limit of 1 MWp has been reached.

Promotion Other installations and Other measures > line extension