Solar installation in the Canton of ObwaldenNotify, don't apply.

Permit: notification to the commune building office

Under Art. 18a RPG, sufficiently well-integrated solar systems in building and agricultural zones do not need a building permit. The Canton of Obwalden implements this in its implementing provisions on solar systems (AB Solar, GDB 710.113). You notify the system before building work starts, using the solar systems notification form, to the building office of your commune, with plans, a cross-section and a photo of the roof or facade. If the plot lies outside the building zone, the commune passes the notification on to the cantonal building coordination office (Kantonale Baukoordination).

Since 1 July 2024, facade systems in work zones are also exempt from a permit, as long as they comply with the cantonal design rules. A building permit is still needed in the protected areas and for the protected objects listed in the AB Solar, and for systems that do not meet the requirements. Before the quote, we check where your house stands, whether in Sarnen, Kerns, Engelberg or another commune, and what applies there.

Subsidies in the Canton of Obwalden

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

The canton’s 2026 energy subsidy programme includes contributions for winter-optimised photovoltaic systems, especially facade systems. The Government Council raised the performance-based contribution for 2026 because demand in 2025 was modest. Subsidy funds are limited, so an early application makes sense. For ordinary roof systems without winter optimisation, the canton pays no contribution of its own. We read off the amount of the winter PV contribution from the current subsidy model when preparing the quote.

For tax purposes, the tax office regulates the deduction for photovoltaics and battery storage in its information sheet on solar systems (as at 1 January 2025).

Grid operator and power price

Throughout the Canton of Obwalden, the Elektrizitätswerk Obwalden supplies all 7 communes. The household tariff (H4, excluding VAT) is 26.5 ct./kWh. That is just below the Swiss median of 27.7 ct. Because only one utility supplies, we calculate with a single tariff for the whole canton.

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.

Winter power and facades

In the mountain regions of Obwalden, a system produces less in winter. Steeply mounted modules on a facade or a steep roof produce more in winter than flat ones. That is why the canton specifically supports this way of building. For facades we pay attention to the design rules, and for roofs to snow load and snow guards.