Everything you need to know about the grid connection of your photovoltaic system
Anyone who opts for a photovoltaic system (PVS) on their own roof also needs to know how the connection to the grid works. We have put together all the key steps for you here – for systems with and without grid constructions. You will find the current remuneration rates and other important information here.
How is the feed-in of your solar power remunerated?
If you produce electricity with your photovoltaic system and feed it into Primeo Energie’s distribution system, you can sell it to the Renewable Energy Balance Group (feed-in remuneration at cost), to Primeo Energie, or to another energy supplier.
For photovoltaic systems commissioned by 31 December 2016, the remuneration rates in the contractual agreement apply. The remuneration rates shown here apply to photovoltaic systems commissioned on or after 1 January 2017 or without any other agreement.
Prices
Depending on the technology, energy generation systems consume more or less electrical energy, which is often referred to as auxiliary energy. If you have decide to feed all of the electricity produced into Primeo Energie’s distribution system, a direct feed-in exists (also known as Metering Principle A).
Useful links and forms
Downloads
Frequently Asked Questions
The basic supply tariffs are regulated and must comply with the provisions of electricity legislation. They are only set once a year and must be published in August of the previous year. The redelivery tariffs can be reviewed and adjusted during the year. Primeo Energie calculates the redelivery tariffs according to the avoided procurement costs for equivalent energy in accordance with Article 12 of the Energy Ordinance. They are therefore much more up-to-date and reflect falling or rising procurement prices more directly. It is therefore not possible to compare the development of the redelivery tariff with that of the basic supply tariff at the same time. However, the respective procurement prices are included in both tariffs.
The electricity required for the basic supply is procured over three years in advance and from various sources (market, long-term procurement contracts, own production in the grid area). This low-risk procurement strategy has the advantage that the sharp rise in procurement prices in recent years has only been reflected proportionately in the basic supply tariffs. However, the currently falling market prices are therefore only included proportionately. In addition, other cost items are used in the calculation of the basic supply tariffs, such as coverage differences from previous years and administrative and distribution costs, which influence the tariff.
In order to keep the 2024 basic supply tariffs affordable for end customers, Primeo Energie has provided price relief subsidies of CHF 22 million in line with the cooperative's mandate by waiving profits and partially reclaiming coverage differences from previous years.
In accordance with the applicable electricity legislation, the tariffs for the purchase of electricity in the basic supply must be calculated once a year and published on 31 August for the following year. The tariffs are valid for one year. Adjustments during the year are not permitted.
The model of linking the remuneration for guarantees of origin to the electricity product selected for procurement was developed some time ago and is no longer appropriate today. The energy costs and the costs of the guarantees of origin from production in the company's own grid area are part of the procurement costs for the basic supply. Excessive tariffs for the return supply have an increasing effect on the basic supply tariffs. For this reason, the product link for the remuneration for guarantees of origin will be removed and a standardised and market price-oriented remuneration will be applied.
Linking the remuneration for guarantees of origin to the feed-in model (direct feed-in or own consumption) was developed a long time ago and is no longer appropriate today. The energy costs and the costs for guarantees of origin from production in one's own grid area are part of the procurement costs for the basic supply. Excessive tariffs for the return supply have an increasing effect on the basic supply tariffs. For this reason, the feed-in model link for the remuneration for guarantees of origin will be abolished and a standardised and market price-oriented remuneration will be applied.
Yes, you can. Please contact your installer.
As a rule of thumb, producers with a photovoltaic system who increasingly use the production peaks around midday to cover their own consumption and whose photovoltaic system has a production focus in winter will benefit by up to 30 per cent compared to the standard tariff (see also information on the optional tariff under Downloads). For existing systems, the past load profile can be used to analyse whether the optional tariff is worthwhile.
No, owners of electricity generation plants can also sell the electricity generated to third parties.
The return delivery may be terminated with 30 days’ notice to the end of a quarter. Return deliveries to Primeo Energie/Aare Versorgungs AG (AVAG) may be resumed within the same period at the beginning of a quarter and must be notified by email to pva@primeo-energie.ch.
No, but Primeo Energie/Aare Versorgungs AG (AVAG) accepts guarantees of origin as standard if all documents are available in accordance with the price sheet.
Remuneration of guarantees of origin
Remuneration for guarantees of origin begins in the next calendar month after the documents relevant for payment have been submitted. These are 1) authentication (activation of the system for issuing guarantees of origin) and 2) confirmation from Pronovo that the standing order entered online for guarantees of origin has been set up in favour of Primeo Energie/Aare Versorgungs AG (AVAG). Guarantees of origin are only accepted if the active energy is also fed into our grids and remunerated.
In principle, yes. Producers and grid operators are free to agree on the amount of the redelivery fee. However, in the event that they do not reach an agreement, there are minimum legal requirements. The remuneration for energy from renewable sources and biogas fed into the grid is then based on the avoided costs incurred by the grid operator for the procurement of equivalent electricity in accordance with energy legislation. For electricity from partially or fully fossil-fuelled combined heat and power plants (CHP plants), the redelivery remuneration is based on the spot market price at the time of feed-in to the grid (www.epexspot.com, day-ahead action with the corresponding euro exchange rates). Primeo Energie/Aare Versorgungs AG (AVAG) regularly reviews the redelivery fee and adjusts it upwards or downwards in the event of changes.
As an electricity supplier, we are obliged under Art. 15 of the Energy Act to purchase electricity from renewable energies in our own grid area and to remunerate it appropriately, provided that no direct marketing takes place. The amount of the re-delivery remuneration for active energy at Primeo Energie is based on the avoided procurement costs for equivalent energy in accordance with Art. 12 of the Energy Ordinance. We regularly review the redelivery fee and adjust it upwards or downwards in the event of changes. Unfortunately, we cannot provide any information on the calculations of other grid operators. You can find a comparison of the remuneration rates for electricity from photovoltaic systems at vese.ch/pvtarif
The amortisation period indicates the point in time when operating your own photovoltaic system starts to pay off. For a typical photovoltaic system with an output of 10 kilowatt-peak (kWp), in other words, around 25 modules, this takes between 10 and 20 years. The amortisation period depends on the interaction of various factors, such as the share of own consumption, the energy supplier’s electricity tariff, any subsidies that may apply, and the return delivery remuneration for the electricity fed into the grid. Incidentally, the amortisation period of a photovoltaic system is often confused with its service life. In most cases, the service life of photovoltaic modules is much longer, around 30 to 40 years.
No, for most of Primeo Energie’s installations between 2014 and 2016 and all installations after 1 January 2017, the producers receive remuneration in accordance with our standard tariff for electricity from photovoltaic systems. Producers of older systems used to have individual contracts. After the end of the contract, the systems will be converted to the remuneration based on the standard tariff. You can find the price sheets that are currently valid here.
In the supply area of Aare Versorgungs AG (AVAG), all producers receive the standard tariff based on the size of their system. You can find the price sheets that are currently valid here.
You can find the applicable remuneration rates on our homepage. Information about changes to the remuneration rates is provided in a media release.
If the power supply is interrupted, the photovoltaic system will also be affected. However, this depends on the configuration of the system.
A special inverter is required. The inverter is the centrepiece of a solar power system. A hybrid inverter is required for emergency power operation. This works both with electricity from the grid as well as in case of a power failure.
In addition to the hybrid inverter, a battery storage system is also important for emergency power operation. If the solar power system is unable to produce electricity due to bad weather or too little sun, the energy from the battery storage is used. How long the stored power lasts depends on your electricity consumption.
Important to know: Converting a normal photovoltaic system to emergency power supply mode is not exactly cheap. Additional costs of around CHF 10,000 to 15,000 can be expected.
Anyone who wants a photovoltaic system with an emergency power supply should mention this at the beginning of a consultation. This allows the PV system to be planned and ordered accordingly.
Information about battery storage can also be found here.
In principle yes, you do. You can ask the relevant tax authority directly how the feed-in remuneration for your photovoltaic system is to be taxed. Please refer to your canton’s instructions for completing your tax return.
Primeo Energie/Aare Versorgungs AG (AVAG) will gladly provide you with a tax statement for the energy fed into the grid for your tax return. Register on our myPrimeo customer portal and discover the portal together with a whole range of functions that will make your administrative work easier in future.
Frequently asked questions about guarantees of origin
Guarantees of origin (GOO) are certificates that are dissociated from the active energy fed in (physical current flow). The certificates are issued by Pronovo AG for the respective electricity producer and traded independently. Guarantees of origin are used to make the origin of electricity transparent to the end consumer. A guarantee of origin is issued for every kilowatt hour of electricity produced.
Guarantees of origin are also the ecological added value of the active energy you feed in.
Producers with systems between 2-30 kWp that have been certified can assign their guarantees of origin to Primeo Energie by means of a standing order. System certification is necessary for guarantees of origin of the energy the system generates. Primeo Energie does not accept guarantees of origin for systems of less than 2 kWp or more than 30 kWp. Please contact your solar engineer/installer directly in these cases.
A standing order for your guarantees of origin is voluntary. By placing a standing order with Primeo Energie/Aare Versorgungs AG (AVAG), you will receive additional ecological value in addition to active energy. The active energy is paid out independently of a guarantee of origin standing order.
As soon as your system has been certified and meets the requirements, Primeo Energie/Aare Versorgungs AG (AVAG) will enter a standing order for guarantee of origin transmission in Pronovo AG’s guarantee of origin system. You will receive an email from Pronovo AG informing you that this standing order has been entered and you can confirm the standing order directly. Acceptance of this standing order is necessary so that you can receive the ecological added value. If you do not wish to do so, you can ignore the email and the previously entered standing order will be void.
Remuneration for ecological added value begins from the next calendar month, once your system has been certified and the guarantee of origin standing order confirmed.
Pronovo AG is a subsidiary of Swissgrid and subject to supervision by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) in connection with issuing guarantees of origin. It is the accredited certification body for issuing guarantees of origin.
