Rise in electricity prices in Switzerland

Since 2022, Swiss households have suffered successive price increases imposed by distribution network operators (DNO). The structural cause is twofold: on the one hand, the renovation of aging electricity networks, the costs of which are passed on to consumers; on the other hand, the market prices of European electricity, very volatile since the energy crisis of 2021–2022.

In 2024, the ElCom (Federal Electricity Commission) confirmed that the average residential kWh tariff had reached 0.28–0.32 CHF depending on the region, compared to 0.22 CHF in 2021. In cantons like Geneva (SIG), Vaud (Romande Energie) or Berne (BKW), certain profiles saw their annual bill increase from CHF 600 to more than CHF 1 200.

What makes this situation particularly worrying is the absence of any prospect of a decline. The SFOE (Federal Office of Energy) projects continued increases in network tariffs until at least 2030, due to the massive investments necessary for the transition to renewable energies and securing winter supplies.

For a household of 4 people consuming 5 500 kWh/year at 0.30 CHF/kWh, the annual bill now exceeds CHF 1 650 — not including network charges and taxes. Ten years ago, this same consumption cost less than CHF 1 100.

Solar self-consumption is today the only viable strategy to lock in your kWh cost in the long term. By producing a portion of your energy, you subtract that portion from any future rate variations — the equivalent of locking in your purchase price for 25 to 30 years.

A well-oriented 8 kWp installation in French-speaking Switzerland produces around 8 000–9 000 kWh/year. For a household that consumes 5 500, with a self-consumption rate of 35–40%, this represents approximately 2 000–2 500 kWh less purchased from the network each year. At 0.30 CHF/kWh, the direct saving is CHF 600–750/year, to which is added the remuneration for the surplus injected into the network (injection pricing: CHF 0.08–0.14/kWh according to the DSO).

Adding a storage battery can increase self-consumption, but the result depends on the consumption profile, the feed-in rate, the purchase rate and the cost of the battery. The panel + battery payback must be simulated with the quote, the Pronovo tariff calculator and confirmed aid.

Our concrete recommendation: ask for a quote from at least 3 SUISSETEC certified installers in your canton, have your actual production calculated via the Solar API (MeteoSuisse satellite data) and demand an ROI projection over 25 years in constant CHF. Prepare Pronovo from the quote and check the exact schedule: for small PV installations, the PRU is finalized after commissioning; local aid may require a procedure before work.