Two cantonal programs – but not at the same time
Graubünden has two cantonal PV funding channels: winter electricity and area potential. You choose the appropriate path; Both programs cannot be combined with one another.
You can also check federal funding via Pronovo. Cantonal contributions and other public contributions may together account for a maximum of 50% of project-related expenses. Therefore, do not simply add CHF 300, CHF 150, Pronovo and other bonuses to a guaranteed total.
Winter power: for steep systems
The winter electricity program pays CHF 300 per kWp. It is suitable for systems with a 60-90° inclination, an orientation from east to south to west, more than 1250 kWh/m²a global radiation and at least 3 kWp output.
The minimum contribution is CHF 900, the maximum contribution is CHF 200,000. The application must be submitted before purchases and work are carried out; wait for assurance before ordering or starting.
Area potential: if you use more suitable area
The area potential program is aimed at buildings with predominantly residential use: more than 50% of the energy reference area must be used for living. You pay CHF 150 per kWp if the system is significantly higher than your calculated own requirements. It must exceed this threshold by at least 50% and additionally by at least 3 kWp.
For the purposes of the calculation, 20 W/m² of energy reference area is considered as the calculated own consumption. In addition, approximately northeast to south to northwest and more than 1250 kWh/m²a global radiation apply; the minimum contribution is CHF 450, the maximum contribution is CHF 50,000.
Compulsory own electricity for new buildings
For new buildings, there is a separate obligation to produce your own electricity: at least 10 W/m² of the energy reference area (EBF), a maximum of 30 kW. This is a legal minimum performance and not the threshold of the area potential funding program.
The obligation requires your own electricity production, not necessarily a specific PV system. New Minergie buildings and locations with solar radiation below 1250 kWh/m²a are legally excluded. This refers to the solar energy per square meter and year. This exception to the obligation to build new buildings must be distinguished from the funding conditions: Both cantonal PV programs require global radiation of over 1250 kWh/m²a.
Pronovo and optional federal bonuses
The federal government's regular one-off payment runs through Pronovo and, according to the current FAQ, applies from 2 kW. Depending on the system, additional federal bonuses may be possible, for example a tilt angle bonus from 75°, a parking space bonus for qualifying systems from 100 kW or a winter electricity bonus since 2026 under special conditions for systems from 100 kW.
These federal bonuses do not automatically form a total and are not the Grisons winter-electricity programme. The conditions, grant decision and legal cap on public contributions must be checked separately for the specific project.
When does the application have to be submitted?
As a general rule, submit the cantonal application before construction begins. According to the dossier, this also applies in practice before purchases and work: first wait for the confirmation, then order or start carrying out the work.
According to the procedure, the application is submitted via energie.gr.ch or the building program portal. The assurance for winter power is valid for 3 years and can be extended for a maximum of 2 years; check the specific deadline in the decision.
Approval and planning in Graubünden
The funding issue and building law are two different tests. Clarify with the responsible municipality which construction method applies to your specific roof, the location and any protection interests.
A cantonal funding commitment does not replace a building permit. Have the inclination, orientation, irradiation, power connection and the application date included in the planning early on.
How much does a solar system cost here?
The canton does not publish a fixed price for solar systems. The decisive factors are the roof, system size, electrical work and equipment.
- Roof area, roof shape and usable module areaSystem size and designTilt, orientation and global radiationScaffolding, access and construction site effortElectrical work, meters and mains connectionInverters and protection technologyBattery storage and charging infrastructureGuarantees, registration and scope of services of the installer
Compare multiple offers for the same project and check funding conditions separately from the price. This way you can see which positions are included and which contributions can only be taken into account after a confirmation.
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Which funding path is suitable for whom?
Winter electricity is particularly suitable for a steep system with a suitable east-south-west orientation and proven global radiation of over 1250 kWh/m²a. Area potential is suitable if you use a suitable area well above your calculated own needs and reach the 50% and 3 kWp threshold.
When building a new building, you should coordinate the legal obligation to generate your own electricity with the system planning right from the start. If you do not meet a cantonal threshold, you can check Pronovo and the system-specific federal bonuses separately.
Solar project in Grisons
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Frequently asked questions
- How high is the winter electricity subsidy in Graubünden?
- The program pays CHF 300 per kWp, a minimum of CHF 900 and a maximum of CHF 200,000. It applies to suitable systems with a 60–90° inclination, suitable orientation, more than 1250 kWh/m²a global radiation and at least 3 kWp. Sources: 1
- What slope does my system need for winter power?
- The relevant inclination is 60–90°. In addition, the program checks the orientation from east to south to west, global radiation of more than 1250 kWh/m²a and the minimum power of 3 kWp. Sources: 1
- What is the funding for area potential?
- Area potential is funded at CHF 150 per kWp, a minimum of CHF 450 and a maximum of CHF 50,000. The system must exceed the calculated internal consumption of 20 W/m² EBF by at least 50% and at least 3 kWp. Sources: 2
- Can I combine winter electricity and area potential?
- No. The two cantonal PV programs cannot be combined with one another. Choose the funding method that best meets the requirements of your project and check for additional public contributions below the statutory 50% limit. Sources: 1,2,3
- When do I have to submit the application?
- The application must generally be submitted before construction begins and, according to the program information, also before purchases and work. Wait for assurance before ordering or starting the project. Sources: 1,2
- Is there an obligation to generate your own electricity for new buildings in Graubünden?
- Yes. For new buildings, there is a separate obligation to produce your own electricity of 10 W/m² energy reference area, a maximum of 30 kW. This is not the same as the 20 W/m² calculation of the area potential program and is not automatically a blanket PV obligation. Sources: 3,4
- Can I also purchase Pronovo?
- Pronovo is the federal level and must be checked separately for the specific system; According to the FAQ, the regular one-off payment applies from 2 kW. Additional federal bonuses have their own requirements and may not be added to a guaranteed total without checking. Sources: 5,3
- What funding limit do I have to consider?
- Cantonal contributions and other public contributions together may not exceed 50% of project-related expenses. That's why CHF 300/kWp, CHF 150/kWp, Pronovo and possible bonuses are not easy to add up. Sources: 3,4,1,2,5
- What does the threshold of 20 W/m² EBF mean?
- 20 W/m² EBF is the calculated own requirement that the Area Potential program uses for its threshold. A system that exceeds this value by at least 50% and additionally by at least 3 kWp is eligible for funding; The statutory requirement for new construction, however, is 10 W/m² EBF and a maximum of 30 kW. Sources: 2,3,4
- Which global radiation applies to the two programs?
- For winter electricity and area potential, global radiation must generally be more than 1250 kWh/m²a. In simple terms, global radiation describes how much solar energy arrives at the location per square meter per year. Sources: 1,2
- How long is the assurance valid?
- There is generally a period of 3 years to guarantee the winter electricity program. It can be extended for a maximum of 2 years; The specific decision remains decisive. Sources: 1
Sources and last update
Last updated: September 2026
- Grisons Office for Energy and TransportPhotovoltaic systems for winter electricity, version 1/26Official source
- Grisons Office for Energy and TransportPhotovoltaic systems for using the area's potential, version 1/26Official source
- Canton of GraubündenEnergy law of the canton of Graubünden, as of December 31, 2025Official source
- Canton of GraubündenEnergy Ordinance of the Canton of GraubündenOfficial source
- Pronovo AG on behalf of the federal governmentFrequently asked questions about the one-off payment (EIV) and solar subsidies in SwitzerlandOfficial source
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