At the end of 2025 roughly 338,270 photovoltaic systems with a total capacity of 9,498.6 megawatts were installed in Switzerland – an increase of 16.3 per cent compared with the previous year. At the same time, annual additions fell in 2025 for the first time since 2017: from 1,800 to 1,333 megawatts. Solar power production nevertheless rose by roughly a third to just under 8 terawatt-hours – a good 13.7 per cent of Switzerland's total electricity consumption. This report bundles the national figures with six regional deep dives. (As of: Swissolar annual figures 2025, published 10 July 2026; SFOE register data August 2026)
Key points in brief
- 338,270 systems, 9,498.6 MW installed capacity at the end of 2025 (+16.3% compared with 2024).
- Annual additions fell in 2025 for the first time since 2017: from 1,800 MW (2024) to 1,333 MW (2025), a decline of roughly a quarter.
- Solar power production still rose by roughly 33% to just under 8 TWh – covering roughly 13.7% of Switzerland's total electricity consumption.
- Bern (1,071 MW) and Zurich (923.6 MW) lead in absolute installed capacity; in per-capita density Appenzell Innerrhoden, Jura and Thurgau are in front.
How did photovoltaics in Switzerland develop in 2025?
According to Swissolar's «Solar energy statistics 2025» (published on 10 July 2026), 338,270 photovoltaic systems with a cumulative capacity of 9,498.6 MW were installed in Switzerland at the end of 2025 – an increase of 16.3% compared with the previous year. The real news of the year, however, lies in the additions: for the first time since 2017 the newly installed capacity per year has fallen, from 1,800 MW in 2024 to 1,333 MW in 2025.
The decline in additions with sharply rising production at the same time shows two different effects: installed capacity continues to grow cumulatively, while annual new additions have slowed. Production, in turn, benefits from the growing overall stock over a full year and presumably from more favourable irradiation conditions than in the previous year.
| Metric | 2024 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual additions | 1,800 MW | 1,333 MW | −26% (first decline since 2017) |
| Cumulative installed capacity (year-end) | roughly 8,166 MW | 9,498.6 MW | +16,3 % |
| Solar power production | roughly 6 TWh | just under 8 TWh | +33 % |
Source: Swissolar «Solar energy statistics 2025» (published 10 July 2026); production figures additionally confirmed by the SFOE electricity balance 2025 (provisional).
Which cantons lead – and how do absolute size and per-capita density differ?
In absolute installed capacity, the canton of Bern (1,071 MW) leads narrowly ahead of Zurich (923.6 MW). In per-capita density the picture looks different: here smaller, rural cantons are in front – Appenzell Innerrhoden (1,884 watts per capita), Jura (1,880) and Thurgau (1,674) – while densely populated cantons such as Basel-Stadt (322 W/capita), Geneva (327) and Zurich (566, rank 24 of 26) fall behind in this relative view.
For six cantons in ecoEn's core area, in-depth regional reports with register data and the respective cantonal notification procedure are available: Solar Report Zurich · Solar Report Aargau · Solar Report Zug · Solar Report Schaffhausen · Solar Report Thurgau · Solar Report Schwyz.
Why does the register total deviate from the official annual figure?
Anyone working with the public SFOE plant register finds a total of roughly 8,635 MW there – noticeably below Swissolar's 9,498.6 MW. That is not a contradiction but a known methodological effect: the register systematically records the most recent twelve months or so too low, because registrations flow in with a time lag.
We don't feel the decline in additions in day-to-day business as a collapse in demand, but rather as a normalisation after the exceptionally strong build-out years 2022 to 2024 – a high enquiry volume, but somewhat subdued compared with the record year 2024.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Swiss solar market shrinking?
No, the total installed capacity keeps growing (+16.3% in 2025). What fell is the annual addition compared with the record year 2024 – the first decline since 2017, but not a decline of the overall stock.
Which canton has the most photovoltaics installed?
In absolute numbers the canton of Bern (1,071 MW) leads ahead of Zurich (923.6 MW). In per-capita density, by contrast, smaller cantons such as Appenzell Innerrhoden are in front.
How much of Switzerland's electricity demand does photovoltaics cover today?
Roughly 13.7% of Switzerland's total electricity consumption, according to Swissolar's 2025 annual statistics.
Why do register data and Swissolar's annual figure differ?
Because the public SFOE register systematically under-records the most recent twelve months or so. For granular, structural questions the register nonetheless remains the most detailed public source.
How does your roof fit into this picture?
We check without obligation what is possible on your specific roof – regardless of the national trend.
Sources: Swissolar «Solar energy statistics 2025» (published 10 July 2026), SFOE plant register (register status August 2026), SFOE electricity balance 2025 (provisional).
Last updated: 18 September 2026 · Contact for questions on methodology: ecoEn editorial team
