Commercial solar in the Canton of Appenzell AusserrhodenCantonal grant for firms.

Subsidies and one-off payment

The federal government pays the one-off payment (Einmalvergütung) through Pronovo, graded by system size. Appenzell Ausserrhoden also subsidises photovoltaics itself. This matters for businesses, because the contribution grows with the system. For systems of 2 kWp or more, the canton pays a contribution on the one-off payment. For systems commissioned between 1 January 2022 and 31 August 2025 it was at most 100 percent, and from 1 September 2025 it is at most 50 percent. The contribution is capped at CHF 100,000 per project. Pure refurbishments of existing systems are excluded.

You submit the application after commissioning, as soon as the federal decision has become legally binding. The Office for the Environment (Amt für Umwelt) receives it through the building programme portal. We submit the applications for the federal government and the canton. On request, we pre-finance the subsidies. For depreciation in business assets, your tax adviser can advise you.

Rules for businesses in Appenzell Ausserrhoden

Under Art. 18a RPG, solar systems on roofs in building and agricultural zones that are sufficiently well integrated do not need a building permit. The cantonal guide to solar systems sets out when a notification is enough. It is made with the official form. Stricter rules apply in protection zones and for protected buildings, so before the quote we check your building and submit the documents to the commune (Gemeinde).

For new buildings, requirements for solar or self-generated electricity may apply, depending on size and use. During planning we clarify which rule applies to your project. We give no information on duties for large consumers that we cannot back up. The cantonal energy office names the thresholds.

Self-consumption in your business

Ausserrhoden lies higher than the Central Plateau (Mittelland), so snow can lie on the modules in winter. We choose the tilt and mounting structure to suit the snow load and the roof. In businesses that use power during the day, such as workshops, sawmills and farms, a large share of the solar power is used directly. We read out your load profile data and size the system accordingly. A battery storage unit smooths out load peaks.