Swiss homeowners exploring solar in 2026 face a choice most people in neighbouring countries do not: should you buy the system outright, lease the hardware, or sign a Solar-Contracting (also called Pacht or energy contracting) agreement? Each model has a legitimate use case — and picking the wrong one can cost you tens of thousands of francs over a 20-year horizon.
The Three Models Explained
1. Outright Purchase (Kauf)
You pay the full installation cost upfront (or via a bank loan) and own the system. In Switzerland, residential solar systems typically cost CHF 1,800–2,400 per kWp installed, including inverter and commissioning. A 10 kWp system therefore runs CHF 18,000–24,000 before the Pronovo EIV subsidy.
Ownership means you receive the full Pronovo Einmalvergütung, all feed-in revenue, and any cantonal energy subsidies. Payback periods in Switzerland currently range from 8 to 12 years depending on location, consumption profile, and electricity tariff.
→ Curious what solar would actually put back in your pocket? Run a free 60-second estimate.
2. Lease (Leasing/Miete)
A bank or solar finance company purchases the system, and you pay monthly instalments. You use the system and typically benefit from energy savings, but the financing company owns the hardware during the lease period. Lease terms in Switzerland usually run 10–15 years.
The key risk: under most Swiss lease structures, the Pronovo EIV is claimed by the asset owner (the lessor), not you. Always clarify in writing who receives the subsidy before signing.
3. Solar Contracting / Pacht
A solar developer installs the system on your roof at no upfront cost. You pay a fixed monthly or per-kWh fee to consume the solar electricity — typically 10–20% below your grid tariff. The developer owns the system, handles maintenance, and receives the Pronovo EIV and feed-in payments.
Helion Energy and Megasol are among the Swiss providers active in this space. It is growing in popularity among landlords and multi-family buildings (MFH) using ZEV (Zusammenschluss zum Eigenverbrauch) structures.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Outright Purchase | Lease | Solar Contracting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | High (CHF 18–24k for 10 kWp) | Low/none | Zero |
| Monthly obligation | None (if no loan) | Fixed instalments | Fixed fee or per kWh |
| System ownership | Homeowner | Lessor | Developer |
| Pronovo EIV | Homeowner receives | Usually lessor receives | Developer receives |
| Maintenance responsibility | Homeowner | Usually lessor | Developer |
| Flexibility to sell home | Full (asset adds value) | Lease transfer required | Contract transfer required |
| Long-term financial upside | Highest | Medium | Lowest |
| Risk of equipment failure | Homeowner (warranty applies) | Lessor | Developer |
Cantonal Incentives and Ownership
Several Swiss cantons — including Zürich, Bern, Aargau, and St. Gallen — offer additional grants or tax deductions on top of the federal Pronovo EIV. Most cantonal programmes require the applicant to be the system owner. If you choose a contracting or lease structure, you may forfeit these cantonal incentives. Check your cantonal Energiefachstelle before committing.
When Solar Contracting Makes Sense
- You cannot or do not want to raise CHF 18,000+ upfront
- You own a multi-tenant building (MFH) and want to offer ZEV-shared solar to tenants
- You are a landlord and cannot pass solar investment costs to tenants under Swiss tenancy law
- You plan to sell the property within 5 years and do not want to manage the asset transfer
When Outright Purchase Makes Sense
- You plan to stay in your home for 10+ years
- You can access a home equity loan at under 3% in Switzerland
- You want to maximise return on investment and receive all incentives
- You already have or plan to install a battery, which is often excluded from contracting agreements