Solar installation in the Canton of GlarusFor roofs in Glarus.

Permit: notify 30 days before building work starts

Under Art. 18a RPG, sufficiently well-integrated solar systems on roofs and facades in building and agricultural zones do not need a building permit. In the Canton of Glarus you notify the building authority of your commune in writing 30 days before building work actually starts. You must attach a project description, a roof plan or elevation plan, a section and a site plan. The three communes of Glarus, Glarus Nord and Glarus Süd each have their own form for this.

Since 1 May 2025 the canton has simplified the rules. In work zones, solar systems that are not sufficiently well integrated no longer need a building permit either. Solar systems on cultural objects and in protected townscapes remain excluded. The canton provides information sheets and interactive maps, which we use to check in advance whether a notification is enough for your building.

Subsidies in the Canton of Glarus

The federal government pays the one-off payment (Einmalvergütung, EIV) through Pronovo. Since 1 April 2025 there has been no base amount. For add-on systems under 30 kWp it is CHF 360 per kWp, for integrated systems CHF 400 per kWp.

The Canton of Glarus subsidy programme stays unchanged in 2026 and concentrates on thermal insulation and replacing heating systems. For photovoltaics it includes a tilt angle bonus (measure GL-31). We clarify with the energy office when preparing the quote what amount you would receive for it, because we name no amounts that we cannot back up from the current programme.

For tax purposes it is clear: for existing buildings in private ownership, 100% of the actual investment costs can be deducted from income, according to the tax office’s information sheet (Art. 30 para. 2 StG, Art. 32 para. 2 DBG). Contributions from public authorities reduce the deduction.

Grid operator and power price

The Canton of Glarus has three grid operators, one per commune. The household tariff (H4, excluding VAT) is 29.7 ct./kWh at Technische Betriebe Glarus, 32.8 ct. at TBGN in Glarus Nord and 24.3 ct. in Glarus Süd. The cantonal median of 29.7 ct. is above the Swiss median of 27.7 ct. In Glarus Nord you save the most per kilowatt hour you use yourself.

The grid operator pays for the electricity you feed into the grid. The rate differs from one utility to the next. We calculate with the tariff of your utility.

Building stock

In the Canton of Glarus, 73% of residential buildings date from before 1980, and 46% heat with oil or gas. Many owners therefore face a roof renovation or a heating replacement. We are happy to plan the solar system, heat pump and EV charger together.