Electrical energy costs in Switzerland are set for a shake up. Presently, costs range considerably relying on the place you reside. The common value in Zurich is 22.6 cents per kWh whereas in Valais it’s 35.7 cents. The cantonal common is 27.5. From 2026, there might be a single value relevant throughout Switzerland. As well as, costs paid for electrical energy put into the grid are falling quick, reported RTS.
The adjustments movement from a brand new set of legal guidelines accepted in a referendum in June 2024. Along with a single nationwide electrical energy value, the brand new regulation will usher in decrease costs for electrical energy injected into the grid by these with photo voltaic panels. For some this may mix with decrease financial savings to make photo voltaic panels a difficult funding.
Within the canton of Vaud, the value paid for injected electrical energy has already fallen from 17.6 cents per kWh to 10.15. The margin between what Romande Energie expenses (32.78) and pays (10.15) is now 22.63 cents per kWh, a gross margin of 69%. Romande Energie is the canton’s monopoly electrical energy supplier. These with photo voltaic panels can not promote their extra electrical energy to a competitor at a greater value. And with new legal guidelines coming into power in 2026 the value may fall once more.
Deteriorating funding returns will make it more durable to persuade folks to put in photo voltaic panels. A key problem is the mismatch between photo voltaic manufacturing and consumption. When local weather and consumption patterns are factored in, a family in Switzerland consuming 5,000 kWh a yr with 10 kWp of photo voltaic panels would attain solely 36% self-sufficiency and have to promote 83% of manufacturing. Utilizing the Romande Energie costs above, these photo voltaic panels would generate CHF 590 of financial savings and CHF 832 from electrical energy gross sales. The issue is 10 kWp of photo voltaic panels may cost a little CHF 25,000. Assuming a 25 yr life span, the return on funding can be 3%. Self-sufficiency could be elevated with batteries. However this will increase the funding – see on-line calculator right here.
Underneath the brand new regulation, costs for injected electrical energy might be calculated retroactively each quarter primarily based in the marketplace costs of photo voltaic electrical energy. A minimal value of 4.6 cents might be set at first. This might be elevated according to the market value, which can embody an quantity added to electrical energy from clear sources, a system designed to pay producers of fresh electrical energy a clear premium.
Adapting costs to adjustments out there and consumption patterns is smart. Nonetheless, one thing might want to change to make the economics of photo voltaic panels enticing sufficient in Switzerland for many individuals to proceed putting in them. One apparent avenue can be to repair the marketplace for photo voltaic panels in Switzerland. The price per put in kWp in Switzerland typically approaches double the price of Germany. If the price have been reduce by 50% the speed of return calculated above would soar to six%. One other can be to enhance effectivity on the grid degree and squeeze their margins in order that these injecting are paid extra for his or her clear electrical energy. Funding in batteries, each domestically and at grid degree may also be required.
A little bit of certainty across the costs paid for the electrical energy injected into the grid would assist too. Traders hate incertainty. If costs are frequently reduce traders will come to anticipate extra cuts. To compensate they’ll need ever increased returns to cowl the chance.
Extra on this:
RTS article (in French) – Take a 5 minute French check now
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