Background
#In 2026, the PV feed-in payment in Ticino for systems with the cantonal FER-CU follows a quarterly tariff; the FER minimum is 4.0 Rp./kWh for systems below 30 kW and 5.0 Rp./kWh for systems from 30 to 150 kW without self-consumption.
These values exclude VAT and guarantees of origin and apply only when the market-based AET value falls below the minimum threshold. In the standard case, AET purchases the electricity and associated guarantees of origin exported by a FER-CU system; since 1 January 2026, RCP and CLE rules apply to electricity consumed within those structures.
RIC-TI systems, systems from 150 kW and projects without CU-FER must therefore be assessed separately before calculating project economics or requesting a quote.
What drives the economics
#The incentive status is the first decision point: under Art. 25c RFER, the FER minimum applies to PV systems below 150 kW that received the cantonal FER investment contribution CU-FER. For RIC-TI, the remuneration is instead set in the commissioning decision; a federal Pronovo incentive alone does not create a Ticino FER minimum.
System size and self-consumption determine the category. In 2026, the FER minimum is 4.0 Rp./kWh below 30 kW and 5.0 Rp./kWh from 30 to 150 kW without self-consumption. From 30 to 150 kW with self-consumption, the category is calculated using the quarterly market price: 4.0 Rp./kWh is considered for the share below 30 kW and 0.0 Rp./kWh for the remaining share.
The tariff is not fixed for the whole year. The canton calculates FER-CU remuneration from the SFOE reference market price for the Swiss day-ahead market and the costs of managing intermittent generation and balancing energy; the value is updated quarterly and payment is generally made quarterly. For Q2 2026, the canton publishes 5.0 Rp./kWh below 30 kW, 6.0 Rp./kWh from 30 to 150 kW without self-consumption, 4.8 Rp./kWh with self-consumption and 4.6 Rp./kWh from 150 kW.
Electricity and guarantees of origin must be separated in the calculation. Under Art. 25c RFER, the FER minimum covers only exported electricity, excluding guarantees of origin. Under FER-CU, electricity and guarantees of origin are generally sold to AET; the published quarterly FER-CU figure therefore cannot simply be treated as a guaranteed value for every kilowatt-hour including the GO component.
An RCP or CLE changes the sales route. Since 1 January 2026, CU-FER systems may participate in an RCP and a CLE; electricity consumed within that structure is exempt from the obligation to sell to AET, while the surplus remains subject to sale to AET. RIC-TI systems may join an RCP but not a CLE.
Payment timing depends on the commissioning notification. The Ticino forms page requires the notification within 12 months of commissioning; late applications are no longer accepted. For CU-FER, AET generally starts purchasing from the quarter after FER acceptance, while the local distribution grid operator remunerates exports until then. The completion file includes the final plan, single-line diagram, RASI report, data sheets and final invoice.
The process in six steps
#Tick off for your project
Establish the incentive status and system size before requesting a quote: CU-FER, RIC-TI and a federal Pronovo incentive alone are different models. For an RIC-TI system, check in particular whether UEn issued the positive preliminary promise for a new Ticino project before 31 December 2021; for CU-FER, match the project to Art. 20 RFER and the specific incentive decision.
Define the metering and sales route
clarify the local distribution grid operator, how exports are metered and how AET is involved. For a CU-FER system, model electricity and guarantees of origin, self-consumption and any RCP or CLE separately; surplus outside the RCP or CLE remains subject to sale to AET.
Calculate the correct 2026 category
below 30 kW, 30 to 150 kW without self-consumption, 30 to 150 kW with self-consumption and from 150 kW lead to different tariffs. For Q2 2026, the published values were 5.0, 6.0, 4.8 and 4.6 Rp./kWh; these are quarterly values, not a promise for later quarters.
Prepare the FER documents
the commissioning notification requires, among other things, a valid, dated and signed proof of authority, the form with certified system data, a single-line diagram, RASI report, technical data sheets, final site plan, system photos and the final invoice. The documents must match the system that was actually built.
Submit the commissioning notification on time
it must be filed within 12 months of commissioning; under Art. 24 RFER, late applications are no longer accepted. For an extension of a system that originally received no incentive, also record that under Art. 26 para. 3 RFER all exported electricity from the original system and extension may be handled through AET.
Check the quarterly settlement
until AET purchasing starts, the local distribution grid operator remunerates exports; afterwards, AET generally prepares the CU-FER settlement quarterly. Check the official FER page to ensure the minimum, quarterly tariff and GO are shown separately; for an RCP or CLE, also document the share consumed within the structure.
Checked for your roof, not just read up on
Once the framing is clear, a property-specific check with roof, grid and documentation is worthwhile.
Frequently asked questions
#Sources
#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.