With roughly 1,674 watts of installed photovoltaic capacity per capita, the canton of Thurgau ranks 3rd of 26 Swiss cantons – clearly above the nationwide average of 946 watts per capita. In total roughly 507 megawatts are installed across 16,931 systems. For small systems under 35 m², Thurgau has neither a notification nor a permit requirement. (As of: SFOE register data August 2026, Swissolar annual figures 2025)
Key points in brief
- Rank 3 of 26 cantons in per-capita density, with roughly 1,674 watts per resident.
- 507 MW installed capacity across roughly 16,931 systems (register status August 2026).
- Systems under 35 m² of module area are subject to neither notification nor permit in Thurgau – one of the most generous regulations in Switzerland.
- In-roof share 5.6%, clearly below the nationwide average of 12.7%.
Why is Thurgau so far ahead in solar density?
With roughly 1,674 watts of installed capacity per resident, the canton of Thurgau reaches rank 3 of 26 cantons – surpassed only by Appenzell Innerrhoden and the canton of Jura. The register itself names no cause, but the combination of a rural structure with many large agricultural and commercial roofs and a comparatively uncomplicated notification rule probably contributes to this high value.
| Metric | Value (canton of Thurgau) | Switzerland overall (comparison) |
|---|---|---|
| Installed capacity | 507.0 MW | 8,635 MW (register) / 9,498.6 MW (Swissolar) |
| Number of systems | 16’931 | 331,271 (register) / 338,270 (Swissolar) |
| Per-capita capacity | 1,674 W/resident (rank 3 of 26) | 946 W/resident (Swiss average) |
| Average system size | 29.9 kWp | 26.1 kWp |
| Roof-integrated share | 5,6 % | 12,7 % |
Source: SFOE plant register (register status August 2026); national comparison values from Swissolar's «Solar energy statistics 2025».
What applies procedurally in the canton of Thurgau?
Thurgau has one of the most generous regulations in Switzerland: under §§ 50a–50b PBV, systems under 35 m² of module area need neither a notification nor a permit. From 35 m², a notification to the political municipality with a 20-day period applies. In work zones, only area and output additionally count as criteria. The cantonal solar map ThurGIS was updated as of 2 September 2025 – since then a markedly smaller number of buildings is classed as requiring a permit than before (a decline of roughly 60 per cent compared with the previous classification).
The low in-roof share in Thurgau (5.6%) fits the picture of a rural canton with many large agricultural and commercial roofs, on which on-roof mounting is generally the more economical solution.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for every solar system in Thurgau?
No. Systems under 35 m² of module area are subject to neither notification nor permit. Only from 35 m² does a notification to the municipality with a 20-day period apply.
Is Thurgau really one of the strongest solar cantons in Switzerland?
Measured by per-capita density, yes: rank 3 of 26, clearly above the nationwide average.
What changed with the ThurGIS solar map 2025?
The updated map (as of 2 September 2025) classes markedly fewer buildings as requiring a permit than the previous version – a decline of roughly 60 per cent.
How current are these figures?
Structural data as of August 2026 (SFOE register), national comparison values from Swissolar's 2025 annual statistics.
Planning a solar system in the canton of Thurgau?
We clarify whether your planned system in Thurgau is subject to notification or permit at all.
Sources: SFOE plant register (register status August 2026), Swissolar «Solar energy statistics 2025», ThurGIS solar map (as of 2 September 2025).
Last updated: 18 September 2026 · Contact for questions on methodology: ecoEn editorial team
