Canton · Municipality · Electricity utility

Check cantonal solar support in Switzerland

Not every location has the same programmes. Your project address, proposed measure and application timing matter more than a blanket subsidy figure for the whole country.

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Four levels, four different effects

A federal contribution, local programme and tax deduction are not interchangeable. Keep them separate in the financing plan and do not count unconfirmed amounts as secured.

Federal support

Pronovo administers the one-time payment. Its procedure is separate from the search for local programmes. A local enquiry does not replace the federal eligibility check.

Cantonal programmes

The cantonal energy office can advise on programmes, eligible measures, budgets and application channels. An energy programme need not offer direct PV subsidies.

Municipality and utility

Your municipality and local electricity supplier may have their own offers. Ask about address or customer requirements, separate deadlines and how support differs from feed-in compensation.

Tax deduction

Qualifying energy-saving investment in existing buildings can reduce taxable income; new builds are not covered by this deduction. It is not a subsidy payment or a refund of the investment. Confirm treatment with the tax authority, including how received contributions affect the deduction.

Understand the federal one-time payment

Check each measure on its own merits

PV, batteries, self-consumption solutions and building measures are possible topics for an enquiry, not automatically eligible items.

PV and project location

Give the exact address, building type and planned capacity. Confirm whether PV is expressly covered and how new builds, existing buildings and extensions are treated.

Storage and self-consumption

Explicitly ask whether storage, controls or self-consumption arrangements qualify. PV support does not establish a battery entitlement. Technical minimum requirements also need confirmation.

Building and combined works

Insulation, building systems and heat pumps may have different rules and responsible bodies. Separate costs and applications; a combined quote does not establish joint eligibility.

Budget and combination rules

Ask about available budgets, caps, eligible costs and exclusions. Federal, cantonal and municipal support cannot automatically be combined. Disclose other applications and confirm compatibility.

Clarify deadlines before a binding order

Depending on the programme, application, ordering, start of works or commissioning may trigger a timing condition. Do not automatically apply the Pronovo process to local support.

Get a written answer first

Before a binding order, ask when the application must arrive and whether approval is required before ordering or starting work. Retrospective applications may be excluded.

Do not overlook changes

Different capacity, storage, components or dates can matter. Before making a change, ask whether consent or new documents are required.

Turn a support enquiry into a reviewable dossier

The actual application follows the rules of each programme. This process helps you collect answers and evidence before commissioning the work.

Record the location and project
Describe the project address, owner, building status and measures. The competent body at the installation address matters, not just your residence or the installer’s office.
Contact three local bodies
Ask the cantonal energy office, municipality and local supplier about suitable programmes. Obtain conditions in writing; do not replace an absent programme with a blanket estimate.
Confirm deadlines and eligibility
Before a binding order, clarify coverage, budget, timing rules, combination and required approval. Record the date and the competent body’s reply.
Apply separately with evidence
Use each programme’s prescribed channel. Include the quote, plans and required documents. Retain acknowledgements and case references.
Complete works and final checks
Work within the confirmed conditions, report changes and submit invoices and commissioning evidence. Then review the decision and payment terms; do not presume a fixed payment date.

Your local support enquiry checklist

Prepare these details and put open questions to the responsible body. Installer advice is useful, but not a programme confirmation.

Exact address, municipality, local utility and ownership evidence if required.
Existing building or new build, PV capacity and separate storage and building-system specifications.
Itemised quote, data sheets and plans required by the programme.
Planned order, start of works and commissioning: which deadline precedes which event?
Available budget, caps and any approval needed before ordering.
Eligible costs and applicable technical requirements.
Compatibility with other contributions and disclosure requirements.
Who submits the application, which final documents are required and how changes are handled.
Keep invoices and award decisions for a separate tax assessment.

Local solar guides by canton

Every entry in our existing canton directory links to a local PvPro.ch solar guide. These are not verified official subsidy schedules. Also contact the canton, municipality and electricity utility.

The combined Basel entry covers Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft. This directory reflects existing page coverage, not a claim to provide a separate subsidy schedule for every canton.

Questions about local support

Does every canton offer an extra PV contribution?

This guide makes no such claim. Programmes may cover other energy measures or not be open to your project. Check availability at the actual address with the competent bodies.

Can I apply after installation?

It depends on the programme. Some conditions already attach to the order or start of work. Before a binding order, check the deadline and any required prior approval.

Can I always add federal and local contributions?

No. Combination rules, exclusions and eligible costs are programme-specific. Declare other requested or received contributions and have compatibility confirmed.

Is a battery automatically subsidised?

No. Ask separately about storage, controls and self-consumption. This guide promises no storage grant, including in Zurich.

Does a tax deduction refund the installation cost?

No. An eligible deduction for measures in an existing building reduces taxable income, not the invoice by the same amount. New builds are excluded. Check the actual tax effect and treatment of received contributions.

Are the linked canton pages official subsidy schedules?

No. They are existing local PvPro.ch solar guides. Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft share one entry. Authoritative programme information comes from the canton, municipality or utility.

Who is responsible for the application?

Explicitly agree which tasks the installer will perform. Keep access to confirmations and decisions, and establish who follows deadlines, evidence requirements and questions.

Can I apply Zurich information to another canton?

No. Zurich guidance does not replace checks at your own project address. In Zurich too, the current programme, measure and project conditions must be confirmed.

Start with a clear project description

Compare solar quotes with separate cost items. Ask installers about support with local applications and confirm open programmes before placing a binding order.