The Friborg double disadvantage — and why it makes solar even more profitable
Apparent paradox: in municipalities like Charmey, Broc, Vuisternens-devant-Romont or Jaun, the electricity rate is so high (CHF 0.35–0.40/kWh all inclusive) that each kWh produced by your panels is worth two to three times more than in the city of Bern or Zurich. A Friborg chalet with a perfectly oriented 6 kWp installation which self-consumes 60% of its production saves CHF 1 260–1 680/year — compared to CHF 800–1 000 in a Bernese municipality with a tariff of CHF 0.22/kWh. The high price is a structural disadvantage, but it is also the best economic argument for investing in solar self-consumption.
1 solution: Advanced shading simulation BEFORE any quote
In a wooded Friborg context, the first investment to make is not in panels — it is in a precise shading simulation. Tools like PVsyst, PVGIS with 3D modeling, or a professional drone analysis service (available from several Friborg installers) make it possible to quantify shading losses month by month. Result: you will know if your roof loses 5% of production because of neighboring fir trees (acceptable) or 40% (poor profitability, look for an alternative). This simulation costs CHF 300–600 — but it can save you from investing CHF 20 000 in an underperforming installation.
Solution 2: The south facade of the barn — often clearer than the roof
In rural Fribourg, vernacular architecture often places barns and livestock buildings on hillsides with a south-facing facade in full sun — while the house roof is partly shaded by the forests behind it. Installing facade modules on the south wall of the barn (BIPV modules replacing the cladding, or projecting modules on a supporting structure) is an underused solution. A south-facing barn wall of 40 m² can accommodate 20 modules of 400W, or 8 kWp — with reduced production (vertical inclination = -25% vs a 30° roof) but no shading. In a canton with electricity at CHF 0.38/kWh, even production optimised to 75% remains very profitable.
Solution 3: Right to prune — you may have more rights than you think
Under Swiss law (art. 687 CC), an owner whose property is obstructed by branches or roots of neighboring trees can, after a summons which has not been effective, himself cut down the branches and roots protruding from his property. For trees in private or municipal forests creating significant shade on your solar installation, there is a procedure for requesting pruning from the municipality or forest owner. Several Friborg owners obtained the pruning of 2–3 fir trees which were causing 20–30% loss on their installation, after a documented letter showing the simulation of shading. Document the shading caused before submitting the request — it's your strongest argument.
Solution 4: Check the building before costing the aid
In a Friborg project, the useful reflex is to separate the photovoltaics, processed via Pronovo, from the aid linked to the building. Before counting on a subsidy, check on the official pages of the Energy Service if your case concerns the Buildings Program, solar thermal, insulation, heating or a specific municipality. An energy audit or a CECB Plus can remain very profitable, but it must serve to confirm admissible measures, not to automatically promise cantonal PV aid.