Anyone building a solar system in Switzerland benefits from three levels: the federal one-off feed-in incentive (currently around CHF 360 per kWp, via Pronovo), the tax deduction of the investment in most cantons, and – depending on where you live – additional municipal contributions. Together these instruments often cover a sizeable share of the investment. (As of: July 2026)
Key points in brief
- The one-off feed-in incentive (EIV) is the most important contribution: it's paid out via Pronovo after commissioning and is reset annually.
- There are three EIV programmes: KLEIV (under 100 kW), GREIV (from 100 kW) and HEIV (systems without self-consumption).
- In most cantons – including Zurich – the investment on existing buildings is deductible from taxable income.
- Some cities and municipalities pay additional contributions; the programmes change continually.
- The application isn't rocket science, but it has pitfalls – the wrong order or missing documents cost time.
What incentive instruments exist in Switzerland?
Unlike in Germany, Switzerland no longer has an ongoing feed-in tariff for new small systems. Instead, the Swiss system relies on a one-off investment contribution plus tax relief:
| Level | Instrument | Who pays | Order of magnitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal government | One-off feed-in incentive (KLEIV/GREIV/HEIV) | Pronovo (grid surcharge) | currently around CHF 360/kWp up to 30 kWp |
| Canton | Tax deduction of the investment | via your tax return | depends on your marginal tax rate |
| Municipality/city | municipal incentive programmes | municipality or municipal utility | varies a lot, sometimes time-limited |
| Grid operator | Feed-in tariff for surplus electricity | your utility | ongoing remuneration, not an incentive contribution in the strict sense |
Guideline values, as of: July 2026. The current provisions of Pronovo, the canton and the municipality are decisive.
The one-off feed-in incentive: how much do you get from the federal government?
The EIV is based on the installed capacity. Currently, a rate of around CHF 360 per kWp applies for the capacity class up to 30 kWp; for the part of the system above that, it's around CHF 300 per kWp. The rates are reviewed and adjusted annually – Pronovo's tariff calculator at the time of commissioning is binding.
Three programmes need to be distinguished:
- KLEIV – for systems under 100 kW. This is the normal case for a single-family home: application after commissioning, payout after review.
- GREIV – for large systems from 100 kW, with its own process.
- HEIV – for systems without self-consumption (full feed-in), with higher rates. Interesting for example for barn roofs or pure yield roofs.
There are also bonuses for special systems, such as on covered parking areas or for systems with a steep tilt – details explained in the article KLEIV or GREIV?.
A practical example: a 10 kWp system currently gets around CHF 3,600, a 15 kWp system around CHF 5,400. Relative to typical system costs (see cost guide), that often corresponds to an order of magnitude of 15 to 25 percent of the investment – depending on the specific project.
How does the application process with Pronovo work?
The process is standardised, and as an installation company, we usually handle it for our clients. Roughly four steps:
1. Register the system: the application is submitted via the Pronovo portal – for KLEIV, after commissioning. 2. Certification: an accredited auditor or the utility confirms the system data (capacity, category, commissioning date). 3. Review by Pronovo: experience shows this takes a few months; the decision arrives in writing. 4. Payout to the account on file.
What timeframe to expect and which documents should be ready is covered in the detailed article Pronovo registration step by step as well as under Waiting times & deadlines.
Tax deduction: the underrated second contribution
Investments in renewable energy on existing buildings count, in most cantons, as deductible property maintenance costs – at the federal level too. In practice: you deduct the system costs (minus the one-off feed-in incentive) from your income in your tax return. What this brings in francs depends on your taxable income and municipality; for middle incomes, a four-figure amount quickly adds up.
Two points are often forgotten: for new construction, the deduction is generally not possible (the system counts as a construction cost of the property), and the one-off feed-in incentive must be correctly offset or declared as income – practice varies by canton. The details for our region: Tax deduction in the Canton of Zurich.
What do cantons and municipalities pay extra?
Direct cantonal contributions to photovoltaics have become rare – cantons concentrate their programmes on the building envelope and heating replacement (keyword building programme and heat pump incentives). At the municipal level it looks different: individual cities and utilities pay additional contributions per kWp, subsidise batteries or reward façade systems.
These programmes change continually and are often budget-limited – anyone who comes too late gets nothing. We maintain current overviews for our service area here:
In what order should you proceed?
The order decides whether everything runs smoothly:
1. Quote and planning – including clarifying which programmes apply at the location 2. Submit any municipal applications before construction starts (many municipalities only subsidise what was applied for before implementation!) 3. Notification procedure or building application with the municipality 4. Installation and commissioning with the utility 5. EIV application with Pronovo, then the tax deduction in your next tax return
The classic mistake: applying for municipal incentives only after construction has started. More on this in the article The most common mistakes with incentive applications.
The administrative part puts off many clients more than the technology. Wrongly so: in a well-organised project, you notice almost nothing of Pronovo, the notification procedure and the utility registration – it runs in the background. What we always point out, though: budget-limited municipal programmes can be exhausted mid-year. Anyone planning a project should clarify the incentive situation at their location early, not only after installation.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the one-off feed-in incentive in 2026?
For systems up to 30 kWp, the capacity contribution is currently around CHF 360 per kWp, above that around CHF 300 per kWp (as of: July 2026). Rates are set annually; Pronovo's tariff calculator is binding.
Do I have to apply for the incentive before building?
You apply for the one-off feed-in incentive (KLEIV) after commissioning. Municipal programmes, on the other hand, often require the application before construction starts – this is exactly where most mistakes happen.
Is there still a feed-in tariff?
The old KEV system is closed to new systems. Today you receive the one-off investment aid (EIV) plus your grid operator's ongoing remuneration for fed-in surplus electricity – the utility sets its level.
Is battery storage also subsidised?
Not directly from the federal government at present; individual cantons and municipalities have their own programmes. The overview: Battery storage incentives.
Can I combine the incentive and the tax deduction?
Yes, that's the normal case: collect the one-off feed-in incentive and deduct the investment (reduced by the EIV) for tax purposes. The exact handling varies by canton – when in doubt, it's worth checking the cantonal guidance or a quick question to us.
Free initial consultation
Which contributions are available where you live?
With every quote, we clarify the complete incentive situation – federal, cantonal, municipal – and handle the registrations. Free of charge and without obligation.
Want to calculate yourself first? Solar calculator with official roof data →
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Photovoltaics Switzerland – installation by a specialist company →
Swissolar-certified specialist company · ESTI installation authorisation (Art. 14 NIV) · in Zurich since 2017 · over 150 systems completed · a personal answer from the specialist company, no call centre
Sources: Pronovo AG, Swiss Federal Office of Energy SFOE, EnergieSchweiz, cantonal energy offices.
Last updated: 9 July 2026 · Author: ecoEn editorial team
