Solar Systems
Save at Home
Harness the Power of the Sun to Lower Your Bills and become your own electricity supplier
Solar energy for properties in Switzerland is an excellent way to reduce energy costs and increase property value. With the country's strong push for renewable energy and the generous subsidies available, it’s a highly attractive option for homeowners.
Process:
The first step is an on-site evaluation to assess your home’s solar potential, considering factors such as roof orientation, shading, and local climate conditions. We also assist with applications for the One-Time Remuneration (Pronovo), which can significantly reduce your upfront costs. Additionally, we guide homeowners through understanding feed-in tariffs and how maximizing self -consumption can lead to even greater savings.
Cost Breakdown (without guarantee):
- Typical Installation Size: 8 - 10 kWp (suitable for homes with moderate energy consumption)
- Build and installation costs: approx. CHF 20,000.
- Pronovo Subsidy: CHF approx. CHF 3,000
- Tax Benefits: Up to CHF 5,000 (depending on your canton)
- Net Cost: approx. CHF 12,000 to CHF 15,000.
Annual Savings & Performance:
- Annual Output: ~7,200 kWh (900 kWh per kWp under optimal conditions)
- Self-Consumption Rate: ~30-50%, increasing with battery storage (which adds ~6,000 CHF to the system cost)
- Annual Savings on Electricity Bills: CHF CHF 1,500 to CHF 2,000.
- Environmental Savings: Offset ~1.5 tons of CO₂ annually.
Unique Considerations:
Many Swiss homes already benefit from energy-efficient designs, so integrating a solar system further enhances the property’s green profile. Homeowners should also consider installing battery storage to maximize self-consumption, especially since feed-in tariffs have decreased. Battery storage allows excess solar energy to be used at night, further reducing reliance on the grid.
Payback & Long-Term Savings:
- Payback Period: 8 - 14 years.
- 20-Year Savings: up to CHF 30,000.
- Increased Property Value: Solar-equipped homes are typically valued 3-5% higher than nonsolar homes.
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Save in Business
Solar Power Solutions for Businesses of All Sizes
All businesses in Switzerland, from SMEs to large industrial plants, can significantly reduce energy costs by adopting solar power. Given the current electricity prices and government incentives, solar is not just an environmentally friendly choice, but also a smart financial investment.
Process:
Our team conducts a thorough energy audit to determine the appropriate system size and optimal placement, whether on rooftops, facades, or as ground-mounted systems. We handle all registrations for permits and subsidies, which can vary by canton. Larger systems are especially beneficial for businesses that operate during daylight hours, maximizing the self-consumption of solar-generated electricity.
Cost Breakdown (without guarantee):
- Build and installation costs: approx. CHF 80,000 to 120,000.
- Pronovo Subsidy: approx. CHF 15,000 to CHF 20,000.
- Net Cost: approx. CHF 60,000 to CHF 95,000.
Annual Savings & Performance:
- Annual Output: ~45,000 kWh (approx. 900 kWh per kWp)
- Self-Consumption Rate: ~70%, significantly reducing energy costs.
- Annual Savings on Energy Bills approx. CHF 7,500 to CHF 12,000
- Carbon Reduction: A 50 kWp system offsets around 10 tons of CO₂ annually.
Unique Considerations:
Commercial and industrial (C&I) solar systems in Switzerland benefit from energy storage options, which can further reduce peak demand charges. Businesses can install battery systems or participate in energy management programs that minimize grid reliance during costly peak hours. Energy storage and virtual power plants (VPPs) are emerging trends in Switzerland, offering businesses the opportunity to generate additional revenue through grid balancing services.
Payback & Long-Term Savings:
- Payback Period: 5 - 9 years.
- 20-Year Savings: CHF 200,000 to CHF 250,000.
- Enhanced Sustainability Profile: Solar power enhances your company's environmental credentials and can serve as a unique selling point for customers and stakeholders.
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Invest in Solar Farms
Make a Long-Term Investment in Renewable Energy
Investing in solar farms offers a highly scalable opportunity for businesses and investors seeking reliable long-term returns. With Switzerland’s goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2050, large-scale solar farms provide consistent energy output and financial stability.
Process:
Our solar farm development services include site identification or acquisition of existing land, feasibility studies, project design, regulatory compliance, and construction. We 5 manage the entire process, from initial land evaluation to grid connection. Investors can benefit from state subsidies (Pronovo) for systems larger than 100 kWp, and feed-in tariffs or power purchase agreements (PPAs) ensure steady revenue throughout the project’s lifespan.
Cost Breakdown (without guarantee):
- Farm Size: 1 MWp solar farm
- Build and installation costs: CHF 1,500,000 to CHF 2,000,000
- Pronovo Subsidy approx. CHF 200,000 to CHF 250,000
- Net Cost: approx. CHF 1,250,000.- to CHF 1,800,000
Annual Revenue & Performance:
- Annual Output: ~900,000 kWh
- Feed-In Tariff: CHF 0.08 – CHF 0.20 per kWh (depending on the power station)
- Annual savings: CHF 72,000 to CHF 108,000.
- Environmental Impact: A 1 MW solar farm offsets around 200 tons of CO₂ annually.
Unique Considerations:
Solar farms present an excellent opportunity to diversify your investment portfolio. Given Switzerland’s regulatory framework, securing land with the proper zoning and grid access is essential. Additionally, with the country’s strong focus on sustainability,
solar farms are well-suited for green investment funds, attracting ethical investors seeking to make a positive environmental impact.
Payback & Long-Term Gains:
- Payback Period: approx. 8-12 years.
- 20-Year Revenue: approx. CHF 1,500,000.- to CHF 2,500,000
- Scalability: Easily expand your project as the demand for renewable energy continues to grow.
Additional Opportunities:
Investors in solar farms can explore agrivoltaics, a concept that combines agriculture with solar power production. This dual-use approach allows for productive land use while generating renewable energy, making it a profitable option, particularly for rural areas in Switzerland.
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STORAGE SYSTEMS
Storage batteries: Maximize the Potential of Your Solar System
Energy storage solutions are transforming the way we harness solar power by enabling you to store excess energy for later use, increasing your energy independence and financial savings. In Switzerland, integrating battery storage with solar installations is becoming more popular, particularly in residential and commercial systems where maximizing self-consumption is essential for cost-effectiveness. Here’s a detailed look at the storage solutions and benefits:
What is Energy Storage?
Energy Storage Systems (ESS), typically in the form of battery storage, allow you to store surplus electricity generated by your solar panels during the day. This stored energy can then be used during peak times or at night when the sun isn’t shining. In Switzerland, lithium-ion batteries are the most common and efficient solution, offering high storage capacity (depending on size), a reasonable lifespan, and compatibility with solar PV systems.
Key Benefits of Storage Solutions
- Increased Self-Consumption
- With a battery system, you can significantly increase your self-consumption rate, from a typical 30-40% without storage to over 70% with storage. This is critical in Switzerland, where feed-in tariffs have decreased, making it more profitable to consume the energy you produce rather than sell it back to the grid at lower rates.
- Example: A typical 8 kWp solar system in Switzerland generates around 7,200 kWh/year. Without storage, you might only consume 30% (~2,160 kWh). With storage, this can increase to 70% (~5,040 kWh), reducing your reliance on the grid and enhancing savings.
- Protection Against Rising Energy Costs
- Energy prices in Switzerland may continue to rise in the coming years. A storage system allows you to store electricity when prices are low (e.g., during off-peak hours) and use it during peak hours, helping you avoid high energy rates. This kind of "peak shaving" is particularly beneficial for businesses with high electricity demands during the day.
- Energy Independence
- By combining solar power with battery storage, you reduce your reliance on the utility grid, especially during power outages or periods of high demand. In rural areas or regions with unreliable grid stability, a solar system with energy storage ensures continuous power even when the grid is down.
- Sustainability & CO2 Reduction
Storing and using more of the energy you produce contributes to a lower carbon footprint, helping Switzerland achieve its Energy Strategy 2050 goal of a carbon-neutral energy system. Battery storage ensures that your excess clean energy isn’t wasted and reduces your overall reliance on fossil fuel-generated electricity from the grid.
How Storage Works: The Process
- Solar Panels Generate Energy: During daylight hours, your solar PV system generates electricity, harnessing the power of the sun.
- Excess Energy Stored: Any excess energy is sent to your battery storage system instead of being fed back into the grid. This energy is saved for later use.
- Use Stored Energy During Peak Hours or at Night։ Once the sun sets, or during periods of high electricity rates, your stored energy is used to power your home or business, reducing grid consumption and electricity costs.
- Back-Up Power: In case of a possible grid failure, your battery storage can continue to supply electricity to essential devices, ensuring uninterrupted power.
Types of Battery Storage Systems
- Lithium-Ion Batteries:
- Most Common: These batteries are widely used in both residential and commercial solar systems due to their high energy density, proven cycle life, and low maintenance requirements.
- Cost: The price for lithium-ion batteries in Switzerland ranges from CHF 5,000 to CHF 10,000 for a 10 kWh system, depending on the brand, which is suitable for most homes.
- Lifespan: Lithium-ion batteries have a lifespan of 10-12 years, depending on usage patterns.
- Efficiency: High efficiency rates of 90-95%, meaning you lose very little of the energy stored.
- Lead-Acid Batteries:
- Cost-Effective: These are more affordable alternatives, but they come with a shorter lifespan (5–7 years) and lower efficiency (around 70–80%).
- Best for Occasional Use: They can be a suitable choice for backup power in less demanding applications, though they require more frequent maintenance.
- Hybrid Inverter Systems:
- Integrated Solution: Hybrid inverters combine solar PV and battery storage, allowing for seamless energy management. They regulate energy flows between the solar panels, battery, and the grid to ensure optimal usage.
- Smart Systems: These inverters can automatically decide when to charge the battery, use solar energy, or switch to the grid based on consumption patterns and electricity rates.
Financial Considerations
- Installation Costs:
- Residential: A typical battery storage system costs CHF 5,000 to CHF 10,000 for 5-10 kWh of storage capacity.
- Commercial: Larger systems for businesses, ranging from 20-50 kWh, can cost anywhere between CHF 15,000 to CHF 50,000, depending on the required storage size.
- Return on Investment (ROI):
- The amortization period for storage systems depends on the amount of energy stored and consumed. For residential users, the payback period is typically 7 to 10 years if the battery is effectively utilized to increase self-consumption.
- Businesses benefit from shorter payback periods, often ranging from 5 to 7 years, due to higher daytime electricity usage and effective demand-side management.
- Subsidies:
- While Switzerland does not offer direct subsidies for battery storage systems, PV systems with integrated storage can still benefit from federal and cantonal subsidies (Pronovo) programs, lowering the overall cost.
Future of Storage in Switzerland
As Switzerland continues to shift towards renewable energy, storage solutions will play a critical role in balancing supply and demand, particularly as the country phases out nuclear energy. Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), which aggregate distributed storage systems, are expected to become more common, allowing residential and commercial storage owners to participate in grid services, providing additional income through grid stabilization.
Additionally, advancements in battery technologies, such as solid-state batteries, promise to deliver longer lifespans, faster charging, and greater energy density, making storage solutions even more attractive for future solar adopters.
Is Storage Right for You?
If your home or business consumes a significant amount of electricity in the evening or you aim to enhance your energy independence, integrating battery storage with your solar system is a wise investment. Along with providing security during potential outages and shielding you from rising energy prices, battery storage is a forward-thinking solution that maximizes the value of your solar investment.
E-MOBILITY
E-mobility refers to the use of vehicles that are powered by electricity. This includes both fully electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles, which utilize both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. The use of electric vehicles offers numerous advantages that impact both individual and societal aspects:
- Environmentally friendly: Reduces CO₂ emissions and improves air quality, as electric vehicles do not emit harmful emissions during operation.
- Cost savings: Lower operating costs compared to conventional vehicles that use gasoline or diesel.
Which Charging Station Should Be Chosen?
The selection of the right charging station depends on several important factors:
- Vehicle: The charging power of the electric car determines the minimum charging power that the charging station must offer. For example, if your car supports a high charging power, it makes sense to choose a charging station with a correspondingly higher charging capacity to optimize charging times.
- Location: Whether the charging station is installed in the garage or on the outer wall has no impact on the requirements for the power supply and installation. Simpler installations may be possible in the garage, while additional measures to protect against weather conditions may be necessary on the outer wall
- Budget: Charging stations come in various price ranges, with more expensive models often offering additional features such as higher charging power, smart control, or enhanced safety features. It is important to find the right balance between price and performance according to individual needs and circumstances.
How Fast Does the Charging Station Charge?
The charging time of your electric car is determined by four essential factors:
- Driven kilometers per day: If you only drive short distances, a lower charging power is often sufficient. For longer trips or more frequent driving, a more powerful charging station may be beneficial to charge the battery more efficiently.
- Charging power of the charging station: A charging station with higher charging power can charge your vehicle faster. However, both the charging station and the vehicle must support the same charging power to achieve this speed.
- Charging technology of the car: The charging capacity of the electric car determines how quickly it can be charged. Almost all vehicles support fast charging, while others can only charge more slowly. It is important to consider the vehicle's technical specifications in this regard.
- Battery capacity: Larger batteries require more time to be fully charged. If your vehicle has a high capacity, charging will generally take longer, even if the charging station offers high charging power.
Why Is a Smart Charging Station Important?
- Connection to photovoltaic system: Smart charging stations enable integration with your photovoltaic system. This allows the produced solar power to be used directly for charging your electric car. This way, the excess solar power is not fed into the grid at low prices but is optimally used for your vehicle.
- Controlled charging: With a smart charging station, you can control the charging process, allowing for efficient use of power and optimizing charging times.
- Electricity billing with other users: A smart charging station allows you to transparently share the electricity costs with other people who also use your charging station. This is especially useful in multi-family homes or for jointly used charging points.
Connector Types and Compatibility
- Connector type 1: Primarily required for electric vehicle models of some Asian countries and North America.
- Connector type 2: Mainly used for European vehicles.
Make sure that the charging station is compatible with your vehicle’s plug system to ensure a smooth charging experience. The choice of plug type directly affects charging speed and convenience.
Professional Installation – a Must for Your Safety
- Responsibility of the builder: In Switzerland, the installation of a charging station is the responsibility of the builder. However, it requires expertise, especially regarding safety requirements.
- Proper Installation: A charging station should always be installed by a qualified professional. They will inspect your electrical installation and ensure proper installation, so your charging station works safely and reliably.
Costs and Installation Requirements
- Costs: The purchase and installation of a charging station usually starts at around 2,500 to 3,500 CHF. The price varies depending on the power capacity or requirements, such as the length of the cable connections and the choice of charging station.
- Electrical connection: A three-phase electrical connection is typically required for the charging station. The exact type of connection depends on the charging power of the charging station.
- Photovoltaic connection: If you wish to connect your charging station to a photovoltaic system, additional costs for integration may arise.
Installing a Charging Station Outdoors
- Garage: In Switzerland, the installation of a charging station in the garage is allowed. However, safety regulations, such as ensuring adequate ventilation, must be observed.
- Weatherproof models: If the charging station is installed outdoors, you should choose a weatherproof model. EcoVille Solar AG’s charging stations, for example, are designed to withstand outdoor weather conditions.
The installation of a charging station is a future-proof investment for your electric vehicle. EcoVille Solar AG ensures that your charging station is installed quickly, safely, and efficiently – from selection to professional implementation. Trust our expertise to professionally and reliably design your charging infrastructure.
