Guide · Switzerland
How long does it take for a solar PV system to pay for itself?
There is no single payback period that fits every home. This Bern example changes one assumption at a time, including a scenario where imported electricity becomes more expensive.
Short answerQuick answer
How long does it take for a solar PV system to pay for itself?
In the Bern base case, simple payback is about 14.4 years. If imported electricity rises from 32 to 40 ct/kWh, modelled annual savings reach about CHF 2,161 and the 20-year result about + CHF 16,519.
A Bern base case
We model a 10 kWp south-facing system at 30° in Bern (postcode 3011), a four-person household using 4,050 kWh/year and a 10 kWh battery. Imported electricity costs 32 ct/kWh. Exports earn 6 ct/kWh for energy plus 1.5 ct/kWh for guarantees of origin. The Pronovo grant is included; local grants are not.
After the CHF 3,600 Pronovo contribution, estimated net investment is CHF 26,700. These are calculator estimates, not a contractor quote.
What payback and the 20-year result mean
Simple payback compares net investment with current annual savings. The 20-year result adds twenty identical years and deducts the investment. Both help compare assumptions; neither predicts future tariffs or the actual project cost.
Bern example: how each assumption changes the result
Base case in Bern (postcode 3011): a 10 kWp south-facing PV system at 30°, a 10 kWh battery and a four-person household using 4,050 kWh a year. Imported electricity costs 32 ct/kWh; exports earn 6 ct/kWh for energy plus 1.5 ct/kWh for guarantees of origin. The Pronovo grant is included and local grants are excluded.
| Scenario | Net investment | Annual savings | Simple payback | Result after 20 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base assumptions | CHF 26,700 | CHF 1,850 | 14.4 years | + CHF 10,301 |
| PV purchase price 20% higher | CHF 31,360 | CHF 1,850 | 17.0 years | + CHF 5,641 |
| Energy export payment 3 instead of 6 ct/kWh | CHF 26,700 | CHF 1,607 | 16.6 years | + CHF 5,449 |
| Imported electricity at 40 instead of 32 ct/kWh | CHF 26,700 | CHF 2,161 | 12.4 years | + CHF 16,519 |
The second option changes only the estimated PV purchase price, increasing it by 20%. The third changes only the energy export payment, from 6 to 3 ct/kWh; the guarantee-of-origin assumption stays at 1.5 ct/kWh. Simple payback divides net investment by current annual savings: it is a guide, not a guaranteed date. The 20-year model keeps prices and output constant and excludes financing, maintenance, degradation and replacement. The fourth option changes only the import price, from 32 to 40 ct/kWh. It illustrates the effect of a higher tariff; it is not a price forecast.
Official and specialist sources
- SFOE: photovoltaic market – 2025 price study
- ElCom: electricity tariffs 2026
- Pronovo: one-off payment calculator
- SwissEnergy: home battery storage
- SwissEnergy: self-consumption
- European Commission: PVGIS
- WattBilanz: Pronovo, exports, guarantees of origin and tax
Sources and price assumptions last checked on 18 September 2026.
Continue with your own data
Enter your actual tariffs and quotation first, then save a more cautious scenario alongside it.