If your photovoltaic system produces more electricity than you are currently using, the surplus flows into the public grid. You receive remuneration for this – often referred to as feed-in remuneration or the feed-in tariff paid by the grid operator. This page explains how this remuneration works in Switzerland, why it is not a fixed, uniform national price and why self-consumption usually matters more for profitability than feeding in alone.
Key points at a glance
The key points of this section can be summarised compactly:
- Feed-in electricity is remunerated, but significantly lower than the cost of grid electricity.
- From 2026 onwards, the remuneration will be based nationwide on a quarterly averaged reference market price at the time of feed-in, unless an individual agreement exists.
- For systems up to 150 kW, there is a statutory minimum remuneration as a lower limit.
- For the ecological value of the electricity, many suppliers pay additionally for certificates of origin.
- Economically, self-consumption is what matters most: Every kilowatt-hour used on-site is worth more than one fed into the grid.
The feed-in remuneration is important, but economically, self-consumption comes first: solar power used on-site replaces more expensive grid electricity.
- As of 13.07.2026
What is the difference between feed-in remuneration and self-consumption?
Two things are often confused. Self-consumption means that you use the electricity you produce directly in the house, thereby avoiding more expensive grid electricity. You only receive the feed-in remuneration for the electricity that you do not consume yourself and feed into the grid.
The financial difference is significant: The purchase price for household electricity is usually considerably higher than the remuneration for fed-in electricity. Increasing self-consumption – for example through time-controlled devices, a battery storage, a heat pump, or an electric vehicle – improves economic efficiency more than feeding into the grid.
Who pays for the electricity fed into the grid?
As a rule, your local grid operator will take over the surplus electricity and pay you for it. In principle, operators can also sell their surplus to other consumers. For you to be able to feed in and receive remuneration, the system must be connected to the public grid and registered with the grid operator.
Why does the feed-in remuneration vary depending on the grid operator?
For a long time, grid operators set their feed-in tariffs paid by the grid operator independently – with sometimes significant differences between supply areas. That is exactly why there is no uniform national price that can simply be read off. The specific amount depended on and depends on the grid area, system size and the chosen model.
What has changed since 2026?
With the Electricity Act, which the Swiss electorate approved in June 2024, more uniform rules apply nationwide as of 1 January 2026. If the grid operator and the producer cannot otherwise agree, the remuneration is now based on the quarterly averaged reference market price at the time of feed-in. This price is calculated by the Federal Office of Energy and published after each quarter ends.
As a result, the remuneration fluctuates over the year: In the sunny quarters, the market price tends to be lower, and in the darker months higher. As a lower limit, the legislator has introduced a minimum remuneration for systems up to 150 kW. It applies when the reference market price falls below this threshold. For systems up to 30 kW it is 6 Rappen per kilowatt-hour; for larger systems up to 150 kW it is set lower.
solar-guide.ch recommends: Understand the minimum remuneration as a lower limit, not as a guaranteed standard rate – in many quarters of the past, the reference market price was higher. Therefore, do not base your planning primarily on feed-in, but on high self-consumption. And check your specific feed-in tariff paid by the grid operator with the local grid operator or on pvtarif.ch before calculating with fixed values.
What are origin certificates for solar power?
For each amount of solar electricity generated, the system issues an origin guarantee. It documents the location, time, and technology of production and can be traded independently of the physical electricity. Many grid operators remunerate these origin guarantees in addition to the electricity remuneration – often in the order of a few Rappen per kilowatt-hour. For a supplier to accept them, the system must be registered in the Pronovo origin guarantee system; the remuneration usually has to be actively applied for.
Which terms should you know about feed-in remuneration?
The most important influencing factors are compared in the following overview:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Feed-in remuneration / feed-in tariff paid by the grid operator | Remuneration for electricity you feed into the grid |
| Reference market price | Market price calculated by the federal government and averaged quarterly, which the remuneration has been based on since 2026 |
| Minimum remuneration | Statutory minimum for systems up to 150 kW |
| Certificate of origin (HKN) | Certificate for the ecological value of the electricity, separately remunerable |
| Self-consumption | Solar electricity used directly in the house, replacing grid power |
For a reliable assessment, these points should always be considered together with location, consumption and specific quote.
Which factors influence the feed-in tariff paid by the grid operator?
The most important influencing factors are compared in the following overview:
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Grid area / Grid operator | Individual agreements and additional payments possible |
| Quarter / season | The reference market price fluctuates seasonally |
| System size | Minimum remuneration only up to 150 kW; rates are tiered |
| Origin certificates | Additional remuneration if accepted |
| Marketing model | Standard acceptance, direct marketing or local models |
For a reliable assessment, these points should always be considered together with location, consumption and specific quote.
Why is self-consumption often the stronger lever?
The following table assigns the most important points to Why is self-consumption often the stronger lever?:
| Aspect | Grid feed-in | Self-consumption |
|---|---|---|
| Value per kWh | Market-based remuneration, usually lower | Replaces more expensive grid electricity, usually higher |
| Control | Hard to influence | Can be increased through load shifting, battery storage, heat pump, and electric car |
| economic role | Additional revenue | Key lever for the return on investment |
Because self-consumption is so important, it is worth looking at storage solutions. Whether a storage system is generally sensible is clarified on the page PV system with storage; costs and sizing are covered on the page Photovoltaic system with storage. For apartment buildings and areas, a self-consumption community (ZEV) also increases communal self-consumption because multiple parties use the solar electricity jointly.
How do you check your feed-in tariff paid by the grid operator?
For specific local values, it is worth checking the information provided by your grid operator as well as platforms such as pvtarif.ch, which display feed-in remuneration per municipality and grid operator – sometimes including proof of origin. The page Calculate solar system shows how yield, self-consumption and grid feed-in can be roughly estimated for your building.
Conclusion
The feed-in remuneration has become more market-oriented since 2026 and is secured by a minimum remuneration for smaller systems. However, it remains only part of the economic calculation. In most cases, self-consumption provides the greater lever. How self-consumption, storage, and system size fit together for your building is best assessed in individual quotes.
The feed-in remuneration is only part of the economic calculation. Specialist installers can show how self-consumption, battery storage and system size fit together. Via solar-guide.ch you receive free and non-binding contact to up to three suitable specialist installers from your region.
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Frequently asked questions and answers
How high is the feed-in remuneration in Switzerland?
There is no fixed national price. Since 2026, the remuneration is based on the quarterly reference market price of the Federal Council. For systems up to 150 kW, a minimum remuneration applies as a lower limit; for up to 30 kW, this is 6 Rappen per kilowatt-hour.
Who sets the feed-in tariff paid by the grid operator?
The reference market price calculated by the Federal Office of Energy is decisive, provided there is no individual agreement with the grid operator. Additional remuneration and models may vary depending on the supplier.
What are certificates of origin?
Origin certificates document the ecological value of solar power. They can be remunerated independently of the physical electricity if the grid operator accepts them and the system is registered accordingly.
Is feed-in or self-consumption more worthwhile?
In most cases, self-consumption, because it replaces more expensive grid electricity. The feed-in remuneration is usually lower than the purchase price.
Do the tariffs change from 2026 onwards?
Yes. Since 1 January 2026, the remuneration is based on the quarterly reference market price, secured by a minimum remuneration for systems up to 150 kW.
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