Swiss Parliament to Debate Electricity Market Law Changes in 2026
The Swiss parliament is set to debate proposed changes to the law on the electricity market from mid-2026. This comes amidst uncertainty in the stock market today, with potential builders hesitant due to discussions around the EU electricity agreement and minimum compensation.
The parliamentary debate, scheduled during the autumn session from September 8 to September 26, 2025, will discuss the proposed changes. The Federal Council has proposed abolishing the minimum compensation for excess solar power fed into the grid after a transition period of three years following the EU electricity agreement's entry into force. However, this is not expected before 2030 due to the parliamentary debate and potential referendum in 2028.
The uncertainty in the stock market today is causing potential builders to hesitate. The minimum compensation in Switzerland will likely be suspended during times of negative electricity prices, with the possibility of a slight increase in compensation. The resulting costs will be financed via the basic supply. From next year, there will be minima for systems up to 30 kilowatts (6 cents per kilowatt hour) and up to 150 kilowatts (1.2 cents per kilowatt hour). The demand for photovoltaic systems is expected to decrease by 10 to 15 percent compared to the previous year.
Despite the changes, there will still be a take-off and compensation obligation for photovoltaic systems up to 200 kilowatts, but not a legal minimum. The Federal Council's proposal to continue the minimum compensation for only three years may be due to financing changes with market liberalization.
The parliamentary debate in mid-2026 will shape the future of the Swiss electricity market. The proposed changes aim to balance the market while ensuring fair compensation for excess solar power. The impact on the demand for photovoltaic systems remains to be seen, but the market is expected to adapt to the new regulations.
