Plan solar with the building envelope, electrical installation and future electricity demand. Check the site data and official sources before signing.
Decision to make
Plan solar with the building envelope, electrical installation and future electricity demand. Adapt this decision to the building, your actual consumption and the project schedule.
For this project, start by identifying the grid operator, applicable tariff and site constraints. The quotation must specify the conditions affecting connection, metering or the value of surplus electricity.
Practical effects of the project
- The subject starts from the new project: envelope, electrical panel, connection and future uses must be drawn before submitting the file.
- For a 2026 building permit, check the federal obligation and applicable cantonal requirements, as well as permitted exceptions for the building.
- Since 1 January 2025, Article 45a of the Energy Act has provided for the use of solar energy on roofs or façades of new buildings with a qualifying building area exceeding 300 m².
- The architect must still reserve roof, ducts, technical room, cable trays, meter and space for heat pump, terminal or battery.
- Cantonal or municipal rules may impose or specify solar installation; they must be verified before submitting the permit.
- The client must require coordination between energy planning, statics, waterproofing, fire and network connection.
These points help assess the topic ‘ Solar obligation in new construction: what the project owner must ask for ’ without turning a national average into a local promise. Every decisive figure needs its source, date and scope.
Specific controls
- Cantonal or municipal law 2026, permit authority, possible exceptions, electrical reservations and connection.
The answers should appear in the quote or in a dated appendix. A verbal explanation is insufficient if it changes the price, expected output, financial support or a contractual obligation.
Compare quotes
- Tariffs: state the purchase price, surplus remuneration and fixed charges applicable to the site, with their source and date.
- Production: provide a monthly estimate with orientation, shading, losses and weather assumptions.
- Investment: separate material, installation, safety, scaffolding, connection, procedures and options.
- Aids: distinguish confirmed amount, estimate and deposit liability.
- Contract: specify guarantees, calendar, deposit, exclusions, maintenance and after-sales service.
Plan solar with the building envelope, electrical installation and future electricity demand. In the comparison table, keep one column for the stated value, one for the evidence provided, and one for the effect of a less favorable hypothesis.
Cautious scenario
Test the project with slightly lower production, an unconfirmed grant and less favourable surplus remuneration. This scenario shows whether the decision remains sound based on self-consumption, roof quality and a controlled installed cost.
The main references used are SFOE - support for photovoltaic installations, Confederation - Sonnendach / solar potential of roofs, OFEN/BFE - Connection conditions and remuneration 2026, Fedlex - Energy Law, art. 45a and cantonal verification. They frame the method, but the local amounts and contractual conditions must be rechecked at the time the offer is signed.
Risks to be managed
Cantonal or municipal rules may impose or specify solar installation; they must be verified before submitting the permit. Ask who assumes this risk, what proof will be provided and how a change is handled after ordering.
A more expensive solution should meet a specific need in your project. Ask for a documented benefit and a separate price for each option.
Next step
Gather the address, annual consumption, future electricity uses and building documents. Then check the grid operator's conditions, available grants and site constraints; request quotations covering the same scope.
Plan solar with the building envelope, electrical installation and future electricity demand. You can then decide with a documented net price, clear responsibilities and assumptions that each company can explain line by line.
Points to check
- Tariffs: Compare the tariff for your address with the Swiss ElCom median for 2026, keeping local prices separate from the national benchmark.
- Grants: Check the programme, eligibility, documents and deadlines with Pronovo, the canton or municipality. Include only confirmed contributions in your budget.
- Roof potential: Sonnendach is presented as a public pre-diagnosis, to be validated by a technical visit.
- ROI: the method separates self-consumption, injection, installed price, taxation and payment schedule.
- The subject starts from the new project: envelope, electrical panel, connection and future uses must be drawn before submitting the file.
- For a 2026 building permit, check the federal obligation and applicable cantonal requirements, as well as permitted exceptions for the building.