Your guide to solar installation in Basel-Landschaft

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A Guide to Turning Sunshine into Swiss Francs

Harnessing solar power in the Canton of Basel-Landschaft is more than an environmental choice; it’s a strategic financial decision. With strong sunlight, streamlined administrative processes, and robust financial incentives, your roof can transform from a simple overhead cover into a revenue-generating asset. This guide details how to unlock that potential in 2025.

The Bottom Line

Basel-Landschaft receives impressive solar irradiation, with annual averages between 1,100 and 1,200 kWh/m². In 2025, turnkey photovoltaic (PV) systems cost between CHF 2,500 and CHF 3,200 per kilowatt-peak (kWp). Thanks to federal and cantonal subsidies, this initial investment can be significantly reduced. A well-sized system can achieve a payback period of 8 to 12 years, slashing electricity bills by up to 70%. The permit process for most roof installations is a simple notification (Meldeverfahren) that is often considered approved if no objection is raised within 30 days. Leading local installers manage the entire project, from drone-based roof analysis to live monitoring via a mobile app. The first step is a free, no-obligation roof assessment.

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Basel-Landschaft’s Solar Potential: More Sun Than You Think

Imagine every roof tile in the canton quietly generating income. With annual solar irradiation between 1,100 and 1,200 kWh per square meter, Basel-Landschaft’s solar potential is substantial, benefiting from the region’s favorable climate. This abundant sunshine means a standard rooftop array can deliver powerful performance and significant financial returns.

To put this into perspective, a modest 10 kWp system, covering about 20 m², can generate between 9,500 and 11,000 kWh per year—enough to power a typical Swiss household twice over or drive an electric vehicle for approximately 50,000 kilometers. A typical household in a single-family home consumes around 5,000 kWh annually.

While solar production naturally fluctuates with the seasons, peaking in the summer months and dipping in winter, modern solutions like battery storage and smart grid integration smooth out these variations. Excess energy generated during the long summer days can be stored or sold back to the grid, effectively financing the lower production months.

Did you know? The solar potential in Basel-Landschaft surpasses that of Berlin and London. This favorable climate makes the region a prime location for solar energy investment in Europe.

PV Installation Practices: Roof, Ground & Permits

Switzerland has simplified the administrative hurdles for renewable energy projects. In Basel-Landschaft, the process for installing rooftop solar panels that are sufficiently adapted to the roof is remarkably straightforward.

• Rooftop Installations (The Standard): For most residential and commercial buildings, a simple notification process (PV-Meldeverfahren – Basel-Landschaft) is all that’s required. The installer files a notification form for solar systems, and if there are no objections within 30 days, the installation can proceed. This streamlined approach means a project can move from application to operation swiftly.
• Ground-Mounted & Special Cases: Installations on the ground, on protected heritage sites (Kulturdenkmäler), or in core zones require a formal building permit (Baugesuch). This is a more involved process that includes detailed plans and can take several months to complete.

Comparison of Permit Procedures

Feature	Rooftop Installation (Notification)	Ground-Mounted/Heritage Site (Permit)
Process	Meldeverfahren (Notification)	Baugesuch (Full Permit)
Timeline	Approx. 4–8 weeks	Several months
Complexity	Low – Standardized forms	High – Requires detailed architectural plans
Best For	Most residential and commercial rooftops	Large-scale solar farms, special cases

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System Sizing & Return in Basel-Landschaft: Use Your Full Rooftop Potential

In Basel-Landschaft, many early solar systems were sized to match immediate self-consumption needs—helping homeowners reduce electricity costs by using solar energy directly. While this approach made sense when feed-in tariffs were low, it often left large sections of the roof unused, missing out on valuable solar yield and long-term returns. In addition, the current regulations for new buildings in Basel-Landschaft require that at least 50 % of the usable roof area must be covered with solar panels.

Why it pays to install a full-sized solar system in Basel-Landschaft

Here are three reasons why maximizing your roof area is now often the smarter choice:

1. Energy needs are increasing—prepare accordingly
Solar modules typically generate power reliably for 30–40 years, so it’s important to size your system not just for today’s usage, but for future demand. With the growing electrification of mobility, heating (e.g. heat pumps), and daily life, many households in Basel-Landschaft will soon need far more power than they currently consume. A solar installation based on current electricity bills might be outdated in just a few years.

2. Extending later can be expensive and complex
Adding extra panels down the line often means reopening permits, modifying the system layout, upgrading technical components like the inverter, and possibly reinstalling scaffolding—all of which add avoidable costs. By installing a larger system from the outset, you benefit from lower per-kilowatt costs and avoid these future complications.

3. Basel-Landschaft supports local electricity sharing
Thanks to regulations like ZEV (energy-sharing associations), vZEV, and LEG (local electricity communities), it’s now possible to sell surplus solar power not just to the grid at low feed-in rates, but also directly to neighbors or other users within your property or area. This makes larger systems more attractive, as excess generation can be monetized or shared locally—especially in multi-family homes or mixed-use buildings.

Budget limits? Consider shared investment or leasing

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If a full-scale solar installation isn’t financially viable upfront, contracting models like Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) or roof leasing allow you to make use of your roof space without large capital outlays. These models are gaining ground in Basel-Landschaft, particularly for businesses, apartment buildings, and agricultural properties.

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Match your system to your usage profile

To make the most of solar electricity, you’ll want to analyze how and when energy is consumed in your building. Reviewing your 12-month energy usage—or requesting a consumption profile from your local utility (e.g., EBL, Elektra Birseck)—helps determine how much of the solar power can be used directly. Even with optimized usage, self-consumption rarely exceeds 30% without storage. If you’re aiming to reach 80–90% solar self-sufficiency, a battery system is needed to store surplus energy for later use.

Cost Breakdown & Real-World Payback in Canton Basel-Landschaft

While sunlight is free, the technology to capture it requires an investment. In 2025, the turnkey cost for a residential PV system in Switzerland is between CHF 1,500 and CHF 3,500 per kWp, depending on the size of the system. 

Let’s model a budget for a typical 10 kWp system:

• Initial Cost (at CHF 3,000/kWp): CHF 30,000
• Minus Federal One-Time Rebate (EIV): This subsidy from Pronovo has set rates for 2025. For systems up to 30 kWp, the rebate is CHF 360 per kWp. For a 10 kWp system, this amounts to CHF 3,600.
• Net Investment: ~CHF 26,400

While there is no dedicated cantonal subsidy for standalone PV systems, a bonus is available when a photovoltaic installation is combined with roof or façade renovation.

Further enhancing the economics, the entire investment cost for energy-saving measures, including solar installations, is deductible from your taxable income in the Canton of Basel-Landschaft.

Payback Calculation

The payback period depends heavily on how much of the solar power you consume yourself (self-consumption).

• Grid Electricity Price: It is around 29 Rp./kWh in 2025.
• Feed-in Tariff (selling excess power): It varies. The feed-in tariff from Primeo Energie for the first quarter of 2025 is approximately 8.5 Rp./kWh.

By maximizing self-consumption—for example, by running appliances during the day or charging an EV—you save the full 29 Rp./kWh. With a high self-consumption rate (60-70%), often achieved with a battery, the payback period can shorten to under 10 years.

Subsidies & Incentives: Turning Sunshine Into Swiss Francs

Switzerland’s commitment to renewable energy is backed by a multi-layered incentive structure. Homeowners in Basel-Landschaft can benefit from:

1. Federal One-Time Remuneration (Einmalvergütung – EIV): Administered by Pronovo, this is the primary subsidy. It covers a portion of the initial investment cost and for small systems (<100 kWp), is paid out as a lump sum. The application is made after commissioning, with payouts typically occurring within a few months. You can calculate your subsidy in the Pronovo calculator.
2. Cantonal & Municipal Grants: It is crucial to check for local incentives which can further reduce costs. The canton of Basel-Landschaft itself does not currently offer direct subsidies for PV installations, focusing instead on supporting building renovations that include a move to renewable energy. However, some municipalities may offer their own programs.
3. Tax Deductions: The investment in a solar installation is considered a property maintenance expense and is fully deductible from your federal and cantonal taxable income in most cantons, including Basel-Landschaft. This provides a significant financial return in the year of installation.

Tariffs, Feed-in & Net-Metering Rules

Understanding the local energy tariff structure is key to maximizing savings. For 2025, the average retail price for electricity in Switzerland is around 29 Rp. (Rp.) per kWh. A significant portion of this cost is for grid usage and taxes.

• Self-Consumption is King: Every kWh of solar power you use directly on-site saves you the full retail price of ~29 Rp.
• Feed-in Tariffs: When you produce more electricity than you consume, the excess is fed into the grid. Local utilities like Primeo Energie offer a feed-in tariff, which for 2025 is 10.5 Rp. pro kWh
• HKN: 2.50 Rp. pro kWh in 2025 at Primeo
• Energy Communities (ZEV): A “Zusammenschluss zum Eigenverbrauch” (ZEV) allows multiple parties in the same building (e.g., an apartment block) to form a single entity to consume the solar power produced on their roof. This model optimizes self-consumption and can reduce grid-related fees for all participants.

Contracting Options in Basel-Landschaft: Invest, Lease, or Let Your Roof Work for You

Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, or an owner of a commercial, industrial or agricultural building in Basel-Landschaft, there are several flexible ways to benefit from solar energy—even without making a large upfront investment. Here are the most common models:

1. Direct Ownership

In this classic model, you purchase and own the entire photovoltaic system. This gives you full access to all available incentives, feed-in revenues, and electricity savings. Over time, this approach delivers the strongest financial return, particularly when local self-consumption and energy sharing (e.g. via ZEVs) are used effectively.

• Ideal for: Property owners with sufficient capital or financing who want long-term energy independence and maximum ROI.

2. Solar Leasing

With a leasing model, a specialized provider installs the solar system on your roof at little to no upfront cost. You pay a monthly leasing fee, while the provider remains the owner and usually claims the subsidies and feed-in revenues. Some agreements allow you to take ownership after a few years, depending on the contract terms.

• Ideal for: Homeowners who prefer low entry costs and stable monthly payments over long-term gains.

3. Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)

Under a PPA, the solar developer owns and operates the system, and you agree to buy the solar electricity at a fixed rate—typically below the current grid tariff. This model is well-suited to multi-party buildings, rental properties, or commercial premises, where direct ownership is harder to coordinate.

• Ideal for: Apartment buildings (MFH), businesses, or community facilities looking to reduce electricity costs without upfront investment.

4. Roof Leasing (Dachmiete)

If you have a suitable but unused roof, you can lease it to a solar provider. They build and own the installation and sell the power to external buyers. You receive rent for the use of your roof, without being involved in the system’s operation or electricity use.

• Ideal for: Owners of large or underutilized rooftops (e.g., barns, warehouses, schools) who want passive income with no investment risk.

5. Combined Investment Models

Some providers in Basel-Landschaft offer hybrid solutions, combining a roof lease with a share in the system’s investment. You earn rental income and can also participate in the profits from electricity sales—allowing you to choose your level of financial involvement.

• Ideal for: Owners of large buildings or cooperative properties who want flexible returns and limited risk.

Your 7-Step Roadmap to a Basel-Landschaft PV System

The journey from initial interest to generating your own clean energy is a well-defined process:

1. Free Roof Assessment: An installer uses drone imagery and software to conduct a detailed analysis of your roof’s solar potential, including shading and structural integrity.
2. System Design & Quote: Based on the assessment and your energy needs, you receive a customized system design, a yield simulation, and a binding offer.
3. Contract & Permit Application: Once you sign the contract, the installer files the necessary notification (Meldeformular) with the local building authority.
4. Hardware Procurement: High-quality panels, inverters, and mounting systems are ordered from trusted suppliers.
5. Installation: For a typical residential system (5-15 kWp), the on-site installation is usually completed in just one or two days.
6. Grid Connection & Inspection: A certified electrician connects the system to the grid, and it is inspected and approved by the local utility (e.g., Primeo Energie).
7. Commissioning & Monitoring: Your system goes live. You are onboarded to a monitoring app that provides real-time data on energy production and consumption.
8. Subsidy payments: After inspection, typically the installer will report the system and arranges the necessary paperwork. After about 6-9 months you receive the state subsidies. Cantonal and municipal subsidies are subject to individual regulations.

Conclusion – How to make the most out of PV in Basel-Landschaft

The sun rises over Basel-Landschaft every day, offering a free and inexhaustible source of energy. In 2025, converting this sunshine into financial savings and energy independence is more accessible and rewarding than ever. With streamlined permits, robust federal subsidies that cover a portion of the cost, and the high price of grid electricity, the question is no longer if you should go solar, but when.

Your roof is an underutilized asset. By activating it, you are not just installing technology; you are building a personal power plant that pays dividends for decades. Take the first simple, no-cost step today and discover how much your property can earn for you.

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