Reference Market Price: Solar Remuneration since 2026

The Referenzmarktpreis (reference market price) is the quarterly averaged market price for electricity calculated by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (BFE), which has guided the statutory remuneration for fed-in solar electricity since 1 January 2026. Systems below 150 kW are additionally covered by a minimum remuneration under Art. 12 EnV. From 1 January 2027, the hourly day-ahead spot price at the time of feed-in replaces the quarterly average; the minimum remuneration is then paid as a quarterly difference payment.

Since 1 January 2026, grid operators have been obliged to take fed-in solar electricity, and the remuneration follows the BFE’s reference market price. The quarterly average smooths the price swings on the exchange: whether the system feeds in at midday at low prices or in the evening at high ones makes no difference to the 2026 settlement.

For smaller systems, Art. 12 para. 1bis EnV secures a minimum: 6 Rp./kWh for systems below 30 kW; for systems of 30 kW and above with self-consumption, 6 Rp./kWh on the first 30 kW and nothing above that, which works out at 1.2 Rp./kWh for 150 kW; 6.2 Rp./kWh for systems of 30 kW and above without self-consumption. Systems of 150 kW and above are not covered by the minimum remuneration (EnV, Fedlex). Grid operators pay for guarantees of origin separately.

On 27 May 2026, the Federal Council decided the next step: from 1 January 2027, the Swiss day-ahead spot price in the hour of actual feed-in applies (EnG Art. 15 para. 1bis). The minimum moves to Art. 12a EnV and is paid out as a quarterly difference payment. Distribution grid operators may continue to offer their own models, such as a constant remuneration. EKZ switches existing systems over on 1 January 2027 or 2028, depending on the smart meter rollout.

What the switch means for businesses with a PV system of 100 kWp and above, and which levers work against the falling feed-in value, is covered in the article Electricity market 2026 and dynamic tariffs; the purchase obligation in the context of the solar obligation is explained in the article Solar obligation and the 70 percent feed-in rule.