Swiss flag
Back to blog
KLEIV, GREIV or HEIV: Which one-off subsidy fits your solar roof?

KLEIV, GREIV or HEIV: Which one-off subsidy fits your solar roof?

Ivan Miric·

Build a solar system in Switzerland and the federal government refunds up to 30 % of your investment as a one-off subsidy (EIV). The programme is run by Pronovo AG, a subsidiary of Swissgrid.

Since 2026 there are three variants. Which one applies depends on two things: how big the system is, and whether you consume the power on-site or feed all of it back.

KLEIV: systems under 100 kW

The small one-off subsidy (KLEIV) is the default for single-family and smaller apartment buildings. Anything under 100 kW falls in here.

You apply after commissioning. Payout lands roughly three months after the application is complete. Get receipts, final invoice and conformity statement in one batch, anything missing restarts the clock.

GREIV: large systems above 100 kW

With the large one-off subsidy (GREIV) you can apply before construction. Pronovo reviews and issues a preliminary decision, so the financing rests on a confirmed amount before any module hits the roof.

That matters for commercial properties and big apartment blocks: lenders will look at the GREIV ruling as a near-bankable line item.

HEIV: when all the power goes to the grid

The high one-off subsidy (HEIV) is the lesser-known third lane. It applies to systems with no self-consumption, between 2 and 149.99 kW.

Typical cases: barns and farm sheds, warehouse roofs without on-site load, garages and carports with no connected consumer. Because everything is fed in, the subsidy is higher than KLEIV, the goal is to mobilise unused roofs.

Which one fits you?

  • Single-family home with self-consumption: KLEIV.
  • Apartment building with ZEV or vZEV: KLEIV (or GREIV above 100 kW).
  • Commercial roof > 100 kW: GREIV, apply early.
  • Barn, shed, warehouse with no on-site load: HEIV.

Working out the actual amount

Pronovo runs a rate calculator at pronovo.ch/tarifrechner. Each subsidy is a base contribution plus a per-kW component, adjusted yearly. Always use the current figures.

At Free State we file the EIV application as part of the project, you do not have to wrestle with the Pronovo portal. Under SolarFree the subsidy stays with us; in exchange your kWh price is fixed and lower.

Have us assess your roof.

Sources: Pronovo AG, EnergieSchweiz, Swissolar. As of April 2026. Information without guarantee.