Solar for SMEs and Large Commercial Roofs
The very large Swiss halls and factories have huge empty roofs and suffer from volatile industrial electricity market prices.
Usual PME power
50 to 300 kWp
Pronovo remuneration (GRE)
Up to 60% (Auction offer)
Payback time
5 to 8 years only!
Favorite tool
Contracting (CaaS)
Covering industrial flat roofs: pure profitability.
Remember the essentials of this issue at a glance before moving on to the detailed analysis and recommendation.
Objective
Decide quickly
Horizon
2026
Approach
Practical decision
Verifications
5
Problem Analysis
Commercial solar can be very relevant when an SME consumes mainly during the day: machines, servers, air conditioning and lighting can absorb a significant part of production. The self-consumption rate must however be verified on the load curves and actual schedules.
In addition, financial engineering for businesses is highly incentive-based. The large flat roof structure in steel or bituminous sheet metal lends itself to compact 'East-West' installations using extremely rapid engineering ballasted tripods (cheaper per kWp compared to residential).
Our Recommendation
Dedicate 100% of the available space without hesitation, or hire a Contracting model.
If the SME has a very large roof (> 300 m2) and Capex investment funds are limited: Contracting is for you. A cantonal bank or local energy manager will completely cover the roof at its own expense. In return, the SME undertakes by contract to buy solar power from it at an extremely stable preferential cost (eg: 12 cents/kWh protected from inflation) over the next 20 years.
For factories and agricultural farms wishing to be owners, direct investment with the 'Grande Rétribution Pronovo' and the accelerated deduction of depreciation from the balance sheet guarantees the fastest return on money spent in the country (Often less than 7 years net).
Sources & Method
Analysis based on ElCom 2024–2026 data, OFEN (Federal Office of Energy), Pronovo SA, EPFL and HEG Geneva studies. The financial projections use the following assumptions unless otherwise stated: local purchase price, GRD injection price, production 1 100 kWh/kWp/year, self-consumption rate 35–40%. Actual results vary depending on canton, roof orientation and consumption profile. The site may also present its own services or calls for contact related to these subjects.
Next step
Compare several quotes, validate profitability with our tools and then check the contractual conditions adapted to your canton.
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