The European photovoltaic market reached a decisive turning point in 2026. While government-guaranteed feed-in tariffs dominated the market in recent decades, the focus has now shifted towards full market integration. This transition to direct marketing as the new standard for PV installations of all sizes is particularly evident in Switzerland, a country playing a pioneering technological role by amending its Electricity Supply Act (StromVG) as part of the ‘Mantelerlass’ (Federal Act on a Secure Electricity Supply from Renewable Energies) and introducing Local Electricity Communities (LECs). Swiss companies involved in this process act as architects, operating at the interface between infrastructure and the energy market. To this end, they utilise manufacturer-independent technological platform solutions, such as those offered by their German partner, Solar-Log GmbH.
Europe’s energy landscape has changed dramatically in just a few years. Although the installed photovoltaic capacity continues to grow exponentially, this success is accompanied by increasing systemic challenges. The simultaneous feed-in of substantial solar and wind capacities across Europe is causing volatility on electricity exchanges and eroding the previous ‘full feed-in against fixed remuneration’ business model.
Geographically situated at the heart of the European electricity interconnection network (ENTSO-E), Switzerland often acts as a focal point for developments affecting the entire continent.