Switzerland is expanding rules for solar energy, energy storage and energy communities on the roof to expand self-consumption and to facilitate the pressure on the grid. The new regulations, set up to take effect in 2026, introduce updated rates, encourage battery storage and allow local electricity trade.
The Swiss Federal Council has adopted a second series of regulations to implement the federal law on a safe electricity supply from sources of renewable energy sources. The new regulations, set up to take effect on January 1, 2026, cover energy communities and minimal reimbursement.
The regulations stimulate self-consumption and the storage of solar production peaks to illuminate the pressure on the electricity grid. They also set new reimbursement rates on the basis of a realistic share of self-consumption, in which PV system operators are encouraged to expand self-consumption through storage batteries or electromobility.
For PV systems up to 30 kW, the minimum reimbursement is CHF 6 ($ 0.0669)/kWh. Systems between 30 kW and 150 kW are eligible for a rate of CHF 6.2/kWh. The regulations enable energy communities to sell electricity locally produced a district or municipality-via the public network.
The Electricity Supply Ordinance (ESO) defines the minimum capacity for production facilities within an energy community and the schedule levels with which participants can connect. Self -generated electricity that is sold within a community will benefit from a lowered grid use rate. The ESO offers a 40% reduction or, if multiple grid levels are used, 20%.
The Swissolar Trade Union said that incentives for local consumption remain too low.
“The Federal Council must increase the discount on the next occasion to reduce the need for grid expansion,” it said.
The new provisions require that utilities stimulate flexible end consumers to adjust electricity use based on roster tax, reducing the voltage. Dynamic or location -differentiated network use rates are now permitted, allowing consumers to optimize consumption, production and storage.
Network operators remain responsible for measuring systems in their service areas. They must now set the measures based on the causality principle and publish them. Measurement and network use costs appear separately on customer accounts. Utilities must also inform the final consumers about their trends for electricity consumption, including comparisons with the previous year and the average of their customer group.
Operators of the distribution system can now set maximum input capacity to the connection point, which reduces delays in connecting solar systems and restrictive grid -outbreaks. Solar system operators can store surplus power in batteries or electric vehicles. Every imposed restriction must be compensated if it results in more than 3% annual loss of yield.
Under certain circumstances, the reward for grid use can now be reimbursed for storage batteries, including stationary units and bidirectional charging for electric vehicles.
“The new regulations stimulate the temporary storage of solar papers on solar production, which helps to relieve electricity networks,” said Swissolar.
Switzerland installed approximately 1.78 GW new PV capacity in 2024, according to provisional figures from Swissolar. This meant an increase of 1.64 GW in 2023 and 1.08 GW in 2022, making 2024 a record year for new installations. However, Swissolar said that this growth will continue in 2025 and 2026, which predicts the annual additions of 1.51 GW and 1.56 GW respectively.
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