Switzerland’s Federal Council has announced interim electricity generation targets for renewable energy
It has also announced a new winter electricity bonus to support large solar systems from January 1, 2026
Alpine solar installations will not face any subsidy cap under updated support rules
Swissolar says solar must grow to 2.7 GW annually for Switzerland to meet its 2030 targets
Switzerland has announced interim targets for renewable energy under its Federal Act for Secure Electricity Supply with Renewable Energies. By 2030, it targets 23 TWh of clean energy supply, with solar expected to contribute 18.7 TWh and wind energy 2.3 TWh.
The rRemaining power generation capacity will be contributed by wood-fired power plants, biogas plants, and waste incineration plants, and, geothermal energy, according to the Swiss Federal Council.
These targets fall under the country’s overarching ambition for renewable energy sources to produce 35 TWh of electricity, barring hydropower, by 2035, and 45 TWh by 2050 (see Switzerland Bats For 45 TWh RE Production In 2050).
Additionally, the council has announced a winter electricity bonus for new large-scale solar PV systems. Projects with an installed capacity of 100 kW or higher that go into operation from January 1, 2026, will be eligible for this bonus that will replace the existing bonus that has been in effect since 2023.
“The Energy Promotion Ordinance regulates the calculation of the winter electricity bonus within the various funding instruments, such as the one-off payment, the sliding market premium, and auctions,” it explains.
The council has also decided not to limit the maximum subsidy for alpine solar installations.
Industry association Swissolar has welcomed the changes as it believes the interim targets announced are achievable, but need improved market and framework conditions. To meet the 2030 targets, annual PV installations in the country must be raised to 2.7 GW over the next 5 years. However, this year, it pegs new PV capacity additions at around 1.6 GW, a decline from a record 2024 when the additions totaled 1.8 GW (see Swissolar Forecasts Up To 1.6 GW Solar Capacity For Switzerland In 2025).