Anyone planning a solar or photovoltaic system in Switzerland in 2026 should not view the subsidy landscape as “one program”, but rather as an interplay of federal subsidies, regional additional contributions, and tax advantages.
The most important message: For photovoltaics, the largest share of subsidies usually comes from the federal government, while cantons, municipalities and sometimes local energy suppliers provide additional incentives in specific cases – often for special situations (e.g. solar thermal systems, building renovations, storage, townscapes/heritage protection or consultations).
It is essential that you correctly classify your project: system size (kW/kWp), self-consumption yes/no, construction type (mounted or integrated) as well as the question of whether you are investing as a private individual or a company. These parameters precisely determine which subsidy category applies and how high the payout will be in the end.
Federal subsidy 2026: one-off payment (EIV) via KLEIV, GREIV and HEIV
The federal subsidy for photovoltaics continues to be based primarily on the one-off payment (EIV) in 2026. Pronovo distinguishes three central programmes: KLEIV for photovoltaic systems with a capacity of less than 100 kW, GREIV for systems of 100 kW and above, and HEIV for systems without self-consumption from 2 kW to 149.99 kW.
For typical single-family homes, smaller apartment buildings, and smaller commercial roofs, KLEIV is usually relevant. Larger roofs, public buildings, agricultural and commercial installations generally fall under GREIV depending on their output. HEIV is not a standard self-consumption model but applies to systems whose entire production is fed into the grid.
Timing is also important: KLEIV applications are generally only submitted after the project has been completed or commissioned. GREIV applications, on the other hand, can be submitted even before implementation. Therefore, output, self-consumption, design, and application route should be clarified early on, before quotes are finally compared and appointments are fixed.
Special cases 2026: HEIV, auctions and winter electricity bonus – if you are planning “more than standard”
In addition to KLEIV and GREIV, three special cases are particularly important in 2026: HEIV, PV auctions and the winter electricity bonus. HEIV stands for the high one-off payment and applies to photovoltaic systems without self-consumption from 2 kW to 149.99 kW. The prerequisite is that all produced electricity is fed into the grid and that the system is operated without self-consumption for the required duration.
For new photovoltaic systems without self-consumption above 150 kW, the subsidy does not run as a normal HEIV application, but through auctions. There, HEIV and the sliding market premium (GMP) are tendered separately. The lowest acceptable bids receive the award until the tendered volume is reached. Anyone wishing to participate in an auction must prepare the project for construction, observe the auction deadlines, and plan for a participation fee per bid.
The winter electricity bonus will complement the subsidy for systems of 100 kW or more from 2026 onwards, provided that the specific winter yield in the winter half-year exceeds the Pronovo threshold. It can be relevant for systems with and without self-consumption, including auction projects. However, it is a bonus for suitable technical and site-specific conditions, not a flat-rate surcharge for every large system.
Cantonal subsidies 2026: Why your postcode matters more than any general rule of thumb
There is no nationwide uniform solution for cantonal subsidies in 2026. Some cantons focus strongly on building renovation, efficiency and heating replacement, others supplement photovoltaics selectively, while others primarily promote solar thermal energy, consulting, storage or special cases such as winter electricity, charging infrastructure or integrated solutions.
It becomes even more detailed at the municipality and energy supplier level. Cities and municipalities can offer time-limited programmes for roofs, façades, core zones, storage or consulting. Individual energy suppliers additionally support self-consumption optimisation, battery storage, load management or local electricity products.
In practice, this means: first determine the federal subsidy based on output and self-consumption accurately, then check the canton, municipality and energy supplier based on the specific postcode. This prevents you from missing a regional bonus or planning with a deadline that only applies to another subsidy programme.
Subsidies 2026 by canton
The detail pages show the most important subsidies, local programmes, tax points and special features for solar systems in 2026 per canton.
- Aargau
- Appenzell Ausserrhoden
- Appenzell Innerrhoden
- Basel-Landschaft
- Basel-Stadt
- Bern
- Fribourg
- Geneva
- Glarus
- Graubünden
- Jura
- Lucerne
- Neuchâtel
- Nidwalden
- Obwalden
- Schaffhausen
- Schwyz
- Solothurn
- St. Gallen
- Ticino
- Thurgau
- Uri
- Vaud
- Valais
- Zug
- Zurich
Taxes 2026: The underestimated lever – accurately calculate deductions, subsidies and returns
In addition to subsidies, taxes are the second biggest lever for many owners. Depending on the canton and specific situation, investments in renewable energies in buildings can be treated as deductible costs for tax purposes – particularly in existing buildings, if the measure is considered an energy improvement within the scope of property maintenance. At the same time: Subsidies economically reduce your net costs.
In many cases, it is logical (and common in practice) that the tax-deductible amount refers to the costs you actually bear yourself. Equally important: if you feed electricity into the grid and receive remuneration for it, these revenues must be taken into account for tax purposes depending on the specific circumstances. For companies, additional issues arise (e.g., VAT questions, balance sheet treatment/depreciation, allocation to business assets). For a reliable calculation in 2026, you should therefore distinguish between three things: gross investment, deductible net costs (after subsidies) and ongoing revenues (self-consumption benefit + feed-in remuneration). Those who calculate this accurately avoid later surprises and can make significantly more well-founded decisions regarding system size, storage options and self-consumption strategy.
How to get the most out of it in 2026 – and find the right regional specialist installers
If you are planning a photovoltaic system in 2026, the best strategy is a clear sequence:
(1) Define project parameters (output, roof area, self-consumption model, storage, construction type),
(2) Correctly assign federal subsidy (KLEIV/GREIV/HEIV, if applicable winter electricity bonus),
(3) Check cantonal and municipal programmes as well as offers from energy suppliers based on location,
(4) Calculate tax impact realistically,
(5) Compare quotes from specialist installers – not only in price, but also in component quality, warranties, design, shading simulation, monitoring and service.
And this is where it gets simple: With solar-guide.ch, comparing quotes from regional specialist installers is a breeze. You receive several suitable offers from your region, can compare services transparently and thus find the solution that in 2026 is not only eligible for subsidy but also convinces in the long term economically and technically.
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