Short answer
How much is the battery storage incentive in Neuchâtel?
In Neuchâtel, owners and solar cooperatives can receive CHF 800 plus CHF 80 per kWh for a new stationary PV battery at a residential building. The 2 kWh-per-kWp cap, 50% investment limit and filing within six months of the OIBT report or commissioning protocol apply. The 3 kWh minimum is worded differently in the legal order and SENE documents.
Important
As of 9 August 2026, the current ASBaSt text and the SENE documents differ for exactly 3 kWh. Article 5 para. 1 let. a requires “over 3 kWh”, while the website and general conditions state 3 kWh. A 3 kWh battery should therefore be clarified with SENE in writing before ordering; payment is also limited to available cantonal funds.
At a glance
Key figures: Battery storage incentives Neuchâtel
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Effective date | 1 March 2026; earlier commissioning excluded |
| Grant amount | CHF 800 per installation + CHF 80 per kWh |
| Funding caps | Max. 2 kWh/kWp of PV and 50% of total investment |
| Filing deadline | Six months after the OIBT report or commissioning protocol |
| Minimum capacity | ASBaSt: over 3 kWh; SENE documents: 3 kWh – clarify before ordering |
Decision points
What determines the right path.
Building type and location come first. Article 2 ASBaSt limits the incentive to batteries in residential buildings of category I or II under SIA 380/1 in the Canton of Neuchâtel; Article 5 also requires PV at the same site with part of the solar electricity self-consumed. A commercial battery without residential use therefore does not fit this route.
The grant is legally capped. Under Article 4 ASBaSt, it consists of CHF 800 per installation plus CHF 80 per kWh of installed storage; no more than 2 kWh per kWp of PV capacity and no more than 50% of the total investment are eligible. A larger battery may make technical sense, but it does not increase the eligible grant beyond these limits.
The minimum capacity is not currently published consistently. Article 5 para. 1 let. a ASBaSt requires storage capacity “over 3 kWh”, while the SENE website and the general conditions dated 23 February 2026 state a minimum capacity of 3 kWh. A system rated at exactly 3 kWh should therefore be clarified with SENE in writing before ordering.
The incentive is claimed after implementation. General conditions 1.7 and 1.10 require the application after commissioning and set the deadline at no later than 6 months after the date of the OIBT safety report; where no OIBT inspection is required, the commissioning protocol starts the clock. This model does not provide for an award before installation.
The evidence package determines whether the file can be processed. Article 5 ASBaSt and the BaSt form require paid invoices, photographs of the installed battery, proof of PV capacity and the OIBT safety report or, for a DC addition, the commissioning record. If documents are missing, SENE can request supplements and defer processing.
Payment depends on the budget and is not an unconditional entitlement. Under Article 7 ASBaSt, complete applications are handled in order of receipt; general condition 1.20 states that funds are paid only within the available cantonal budget and may be spread across several financial years. The project decision must therefore allow for a budget constraint.
Sequence
How the project stays cleanly managed.
- 1
Define eligibility before requesting a quotedocument a category I or II residential building under SIA 380/1, a site in the Canton of Neuchâtel, existing or new PV on the same site, partial self-consumption and a new stationary battery. Exclude vehicle batteries, non-residential buildings, used systems and a second installation where one has already been funded.
- 2
Size the battery technically and mark the incentive limits separately: the design should include the load profile, evening and night demand, heat pump, wallbox and PV capacity. In the incentive calculation, enter 2 kWh per kWp of PV and 50% of the total investment as caps; record the “over 3 kWh” wording in Article 5 para. 1 let. a ASBaSt as an open clarification point in the quote.
- 3
Complete installation and commissioning cleanlyconnect the battery to the existing or new PV system and the building installation. Before applying, obtain the OIBT safety report; for a DC addition where no OIBT inspection is required, the commissioning protocol replaces it.
- 4
Assemble the BaSt filecomplete the SENE form, attach the paid invoice and photographs of the battery, document PV capacity with an invoice, Pronovo decision or other evidence, and attach the OIBT report or commissioning protocol. The EGID, storage capacity and commissioning date must match across the form and supporting documents.
- 5
File with SENE on time after commissioningsend the application by email or post to the Service de l’énergie et de l’environnement, and ensure it arrives no later than 6 months after the OIBT report or commissioning protocol. This is a cut-off deadline; under condition 1.10, the entitlement expires after it passes.
- 6
Plan for queries and the budget decisionSENE checks the project and can request missing documents. Under condition 1.9, requested supplements have an initial 3-month period and then a further 3-month period; complete applications are handled by arrival date. Payment follows only after the review and within available funds.
Checklist
Questions to settle before the quote.
- Check ASBaSt Articles 2–5: residential building, on-site PV, new stationary battery and the wording “over 3 kWh”
- Calculate CHF 800 plus CHF 80/kWh with the 2 kWh-per-kWp cap and 50% investment limit
- Collect the OIBT safety report or commissioning protocol, paid invoice, photographs and PV capacity evidence
- Submit the application to SENE within six months and clarify the 3 kWh discrepancy in writing before ordering
FAQ
More questions: Battery storage incentives Neuchâtel
Sources
Official sources & references.
The responsible authorities are decisive. Always verify binding details – amounts, deadlines and conditions – for your specific property against the current status of the respective authority.
- SENE: subsidy for photovoltaic batteriesService de l’énergie et de l’environnement (SENE), Canton of Neuchâtel
- ASBaSt: signed version of 4 February 2026Council of State of the Republic and Canton of Neuchâtel
- General conditions, status 23 February 2026Service de l’énergie et de l’environnement (SENE), Canton of Neuchâtel
- BaSt application form, valid from 1 March 2026Service de l’énergie et de l’environnement (SENE), Canton of Neuchâtel
- RSN 740.13: ASBaSt in the current legal registerLegal Service of the Canton of Neuchâtel, RSN