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Finance & Taxation March 2026 5 min read

Solar leasing and contracting: when is it relevant?

Editorial responsibility: Franck Tournier · Report a fix

TL;DR

Contracting allows you to install solar with little or no initial investment. In exchange, you cede part of the economic value of the system (surplus, subsidies, long-term margin) to the operator.

How the model works

In a PPA/contracting type contract, a third party finances, installs and operates the system. You buy the electricity produced at a contractual rate over a long period.

Main advantage: zero initial CAPEX

The main benefit is the preservation of cash flow. This is particularly useful for companies that prefer to invest their capital in their main activity.

Main limit: profitability captured by the third party

In return, part of the value of solar (subsidies, surplus, margin on kWh) is captured by the operator. Before signing, always compare the total cost over 20 years with a direct purchase scenario.

Frequently asked questions

Who is contracting most interesting for?+

Often for businesses with big roofs and cash flow priorities. For a residential owner, purchasing directly generally remains more profitable in the long term.

Who takes care of breakdowns?+

In principle, the operator who remains the owner of the installation manages the maintenance and replacements provided for in the contract. Check the exclusions and response times precisely.

What happens if the property is resold?+

The contract must be transferred or surrendered. This is a critical point: a buyer may refuse to take on a long commitment, which complicates the real estate transaction.

Sources & method

Swiss professional guides, market contractual practices and installer/management feedback.

This content is for information only. For your project, verify prices, grants, timelines, permissions and expected returns with the relevant authorities, grid operator and installer, and check the applicable contracts.

Some pages also invite you to get in touch or highlight services, and may contain other commercial messages from the site operator.

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