The Three Main Models
Swiss solar financing has evolved beyond simple bank loans. Three structures now compete for homeowners and building owners who want solar without full capital commitment:
- Outright purchase — you own the system, claim the EIV, keep all savings
- Solar PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) — a provider installs the system for free; you buy the electricity it generates at a contracted rate
- Rent-a-roof / operating lease — the provider pays you a roof rental fee and sells the power elsewhere; you get no solar benefit directly
A fourth model — solar contracting via energy service companies (ESCOs) — is most common for commercial and multi-family buildings rather than detached homes.
How a Swiss Solar PPA Works
Under a PPA:
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- An energy company (e.g., Helion, SunGrid, or a utility subsidiary) finances, installs, and owns the solar panels on your roof
- You sign a contract — typically 15 to 25 years — to purchase all or most of the solar electricity generated at a fixed or index-linked rate in CHF per kWh
- The PPA rate is usually set below your current grid tariff — typically CHF 0.17–0.22/kWh vs CHF 0.25–0.29/kWh for grid electricity
- Maintenance and insurance remain the provider's responsibility
- At contract end, you may have the option to purchase the system at residual value or have it removed
You save money from day one with no upfront cost. But the savings are smaller than ownership — and you do not receive the Pronovo EIV rebate (the system owner does).
How a Rent-a-Roof Scheme Works
In a rent-a-roof arrangement:
- The provider installs panels on your roof and connects them to the grid
- You receive a roof rental fee — typically CHF 500–2,000 per year depending on roof size and canton
- The provider claims the EIV and keeps all electricity revenue
- Your own electricity bills are unaffected — you still pay full grid tariffs
This model suits homeowners who cannot self-consume solar (e.g., absent most of the day, no EV, no heat pump) but want passive income from an unused roof.
Financial Comparison for a Typical 10 kWp System
| Model | Upfront cost | Annual saving / income | 20-year total benefit | Own the system? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outright purchase | CHF 21,000 (net after EIV) | CHF 1,600–2,200 | CHF 32,000–44,000 | Yes |
| Solar PPA | CHF 0 | CHF 600–1,000 | CHF 12,000–20,000 | No |
| Rent-a-roof | CHF 0 | CHF 700–1,500 (rental) | CHF 14,000–30,000 | No |
Outright ownership produces the strongest 20-year return for homeowners with access to financing. PPAs and rent-a-roof make sense when capital is unavailable or when the property situation makes ownership impractical.
When a PPA Makes Sense
- Rental properties: landlords who cannot easily pass installation costs to tenants but want to offer green energy
- Commercial tenants: businesses that lease their premises have no right to install roof assets
- Limited credit access: homeowners who do not qualify for a green mortgage or lack savings
- Short planning horizon: if you plan to sell in under five years, a PPA transfers with the property — but the new owner must take over the contract
PPA Risks to Understand
- Long lock-in: a 20-year PPA signed today commits you to a rate structure that may look less attractive if grid prices fall (possible, though unlikely given current Swiss energy trends)
- Property sale complexity: PPA contracts must be transferred to the new owner; some buyers find this off-putting
- Rate escalation clauses: some PPAs link the annual rate to the Swiss consumer price index — check the escalation cap
- Provider solvency: if the provider exits the market, contract continuity and maintenance can become complicated
Green Mortgages as an Alternative
Many Swiss banks — including Raiffeisen, ZKB, and PostFinance — offer preferential mortgage rates for properties that meet energy efficiency criteria, including solar installation. A green mortgage top-up of CHF 20,000–30,000 at 0.2–0.4% below standard rates effectively turns the PPA financial case on its head: you can own the system for a similar monthly cost to a PPA contract, while keeping all the savings and EIV rebate.