CHF 450 Million Swiss Funding For Solar In 2022

• Switzerland registered 360 MW solar PV capacity in the form of 18,000 systems between January 2021 and October 2021 for subsidies
• Registrations during Q3/2021 were 40% higher than the previous year, with September 2021 alone reporting applications for more than 2,000 systems
• In 2022, it plans to provide CHF 450 million to support new PV installations

The Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) says between January 2021 and October 2021, it counted more than 18,000 solar PV systems representing a total capacity of 360 MW having been registered in the country for one-off subsidy.

It reflects an increase of around 25% on annual basis. At the same time, during Q3/2021, the registrations went up 40% over Q3/2020, and in September alone there were more than 2,000 applications received. It shows growing solar PV numbers in Switzerland after the country exited 2020 with 475 MW newly installed capacity, which SFOE had previously pegged at 493 MW (see Switzerland 2020 PV Additions Grew Nearly 50% To 493 MW).

The government offers funding for solar PV systems under the following schemes:

1. KLEIV: This stands for a one-time payment for small photovoltaic systems. SFOE will provide subsidy for all system operators who applied for it between April 1, 2020 and August 31, 2021. It estimates this amount to be used for around 26,000 systems with a total output of around 350 MW in 2021. All operators who submit their applications seeking funding under this mechanism by October 21, 2022 will get subsidies under KLEIV in 2022.

2. GREIV: This one is for one-time payment for 'large' photovoltaic systems. SFOE expects around 500 systems or 168 MW PV to be supported in 2021. To be eligible for funding under GREIV in 2022, all desirous plant operators need to apply latest by October 31, 2022.

3. KEV: This stands for feed-in-tariff (FIT) for which SFOE confirms that no systems were installed in 2021. Currently, 12,085 PV systems receive FITs, and another 19 are in queue to receive the same. FIT money is paid after the facilities are built.

In all, to continue encouraging more uptake of solar in the country, SFOE has announced it will provide CHF 450 million ($489 million) to support PV installations in 2022.