# Winterstrombonus

Also known as: Winter electricity bonus

The Winterstrombonus (winter electricity bonus) is a supplementary subsidy on top of the Einmalvergütung for photovoltaic systems from 100 kWp that are commissioned from 1 January 2026 and produce more than 500 kWh per installed kilowatt during the winter half-year (1 October to 31 March). The bonus specifically supports winter-strong systems: alpine sites, steeply tilted modules and facade systems facing south-west or south-east.

Canonical page: https://www.ampere-dynamic.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/winterstrombonus/

## Why does the Winterstrombonus exist?

The background is the winter electricity gap: Switzerland imports electricity in the winter half-year, while conventional flat-roof systems deliver most of their yield in summer. The winter electricity bonus shifts the incentive towards systems that produce precisely when electricity is scarce and expensive. The Federal Council introduced it with the amendment to the Energy Promotion Ordinance (EnFV) of 26 November 2025 ([AS 2025 830](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/oc/2025/830/de)). It applies to systems commissioned from 1 January 2026 and supersedes the altitude bonus (Höhenbonus) in force since 2023.

## Who receives the Winterstrombonus and how much?

Eligible are systems from 100 kW of capacity whose production in the winter half-year exceeds 500 kWh per kW ([Pronovo, frequently asked questions on the one-off remuneration](https://pronovo.ch/de/foerderung/photovoltaik/haeufige-fragen/)). The bonus is CHF 2.50 per kW of capacity for systems with self-consumption and CHF 3.50 for systems without, multiplied by the average specific additional winter yield of the first three full winter half-years; the additional yield is the winter yield above 500 kWh per kW ([EnFV, Annex 2.1 No. 2.7.3](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2017/766/de)). It is paid once after the third full winter half-year, in addition to the [one-off remuneration](https://www.ampere-dynamic.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/einmalverguetung/). An example: a 100 kW system with self-consumption and 600 kWh per kW in the winter half-year receives 100 kW × 100 kWh/kW × CHF 2.50, i.e. CHF 25'000. The bonus is applied for in the application for the one-off remuneration.

The threshold of 500 kWh per kW in the winter half-year is reached above all by vertical and steeply tilted installations: facades, fences and alpine locations with snow reflection. A flat roof in the Swiss Plateau lies well below it. For commercial buildings, bifacial vertical modules on south-facing facades are the most practicable route. They also meet the conditions of the tilt angle bonus, but the two bonuses are not paid together: a system that receives the Winterstrombonus has no claim to the tilt angle bonus ([Art. 38 para. 1quater EnFV](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2017/766/de)).

## How is winter production proven?

Decisive is the production between 1 October and 31 March, relative to the installed capacity in kW. The application includes a yield simulation showing that the system is likely to reach the threshold (EnFV Annex 2.1 No. 4.1 let. i). After the first full year of operation the operator submits a detailed statement of construction costs (Art. 45 para. 5 EnFV); after the third full winter half-year Pronovo calculates the bonus from it and from the winter yield (Art. 46a EnFV). Below the threshold there is no Winterstrombonus; above it, the bonus grows with every kWh per kW of additional yield. If a system misses the threshold, the operator can claim the tilt angle bonus afterwards (Art. 38 para. 1quinquies EnFV).

## Which systems pay off with the bonus?

For an industrial company, the Winterstrombonus is rarely the reason for a system, but often the reason for the facade. Winter production coincides with the period in which grid electricity is most expensive and the feed-in remuneration at the hourly spot price from 2027 is highest. Technology, requirements and a practical example from Landquart GR: [Winterstrombonus and vertical PV](https://www.ampere-dynamic.ch/en/knowledge/winterstrombonus-vertical-pv/). The [subsidy guide 2026](https://www.ampere-dynamic.ch/en/knowledge/subsidy-guide-2026/) covers the rest of the subsidy landscape.

## Related terms

- [One-off remuneration (EIV)](https://www.ampere-dynamic.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/einmalverguetung/)