Background
#In 2026, CKW pays for exported solar power at the SFOE reference market price, set retroactively per quarter: 10.266 ct/kWh in the first, 3.896 in the second and 8.540 in the third quarter, excluding VAT.
If it is below the minimum, CKW pays the minimum for systems up to 150 kW, i.e. 6 ct/kWh for systems up to 30 kW in the second quarter of 2026. Guarantees of origin assigned to CKW earn 2.00 ct/kWh up to 100 kVA and 1.00 ct/kWh above. From 2027, CKW pays the spot price of the quarter hour in which electricity is exported and distinguishes the HKN payment between winter and summer half-years.
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With your address we calculate the one-off payment, your canton’s incentives, tax deduction and regional feed-in tariff for your system.
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What drives the economics
#The reference market price fluctuates strongly. CKW shows 10.266 ct/kWh in Q1, 3.896 in Q2 and 8.540 in Q3 2026 for photovoltaics; in 2025 values ranged from 2.759 to 10.380 ct/kWh. Payment is set retroactively per quarter and the balance of exports and purchases is settled quarterly.
The minimum protects against low prices. Up to 30 kW it is 6 ct/kWh; from 30 to 150 kW with self-consumption 1.2 to 5.8 ct/kWh depending on capacity, using 180 divided by kW; without self-consumption 6.2 ct/kWh. According to CKW it has applied the minimum since the second quarter of 2024, in 2026 in Q2.
Guarantees of origin depend on system size. CKW pays 2.00 ct/kWh for assigned PV HKNs up to 100 kVA and 1.00 ct/kWh above 100 kVA, excluding VAT. CKW may reduce the amount so that feed-in and HKN payment together do not exceed the system-specific eligibility limit.
The HKN figure is not clearly dated. The HKN price sheet applies from 1 January 2026 and refers to ckw.ch/up for the amount. There, the table showing 2.00 and 1.00 ct/kWh is labelled «CKW R HKN 2025». No value separately labelled 2026 is published; confirm with CKW before calculating.
Not every system is covered. Excluded are systems in the feed-in remuneration system (KEV, EVS) and those receiving operating cost contributions under Art. 33a EnA. The product applies up to 3 MW capacity or 5,000 MWh annual production after self-consumption; other technologies are agreed individually.
In 2027 the quarter-hour spot price arrives. According to CKW, from 2027 every exported kilowatt-hour is paid at the spot price of the quarter hour in which it enters the grid. If the quarterly reference price is below the minimum, CKW pays the difference afterwards. The HKN payment will then be 1 ct/kWh in the winter and 0.1 ct/kWh in the summer half-year and lapses in hours with negative prices.
The process in six steps
#Tick off for your project
Check the grid area
CKW is not the grid operator everywhere in the Canton of Lucerne. The ElCom electricity price website shows the responsible operator for the connection address.
Record tariff class and connection capacity
note capacity in kW for the minimum and connection capacity in kVA for the HKN tier. From 30 to 150 kW with self-consumption, calculate the minimum as 180 divided by kW.
Calculate per quarter
multiply expected exports per quarter by the higher of SFOE reference price and minimum, and show the HKN payment separately.
Register the HKN standing order
register the system in Pronovo’s guarantees-of-origin system and use the CKW form to register the standing order in favour of CKW. Only then is the HKN payment made.
Plan self-consumption
because grid electricity costs considerably more than the feed-in payment, size the system, storage and controllable loads for self-consumption.
Prepare for 2027
with the quarter-hour spot price, exports at summer midday become worth less. Storage and load control shift electricity into more valuable hours.
Checked for your roof, not just read up on
How much funding does your roof get?
With your address we calculate the one-off payment, your canton’s incentives, tax deduction and regional feed-in tariff for your system.
Free and non-binding · no unsolicited calls
Rather talk directly? +41 78 615 90 58
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.