FAQ Hub
Your questions, our answers
Thinking about solar? We have the answers to your questions.
Installing solar panels, investing in a battery, reducing your electricity bills… You are considering it, but do you still have questions?
That is perfectly normal. Costs, profitability, operation, installation or lifespan: we have gathered the answers here to the questions most frequently asked by homeowners in Switzerland.
Clear, concrete answers without the jargon, to help you make the right choices at your own pace.
FAQ
01 — Your home and your solar panels
Is your home suitable for solar? What are the different possibilities? Let’s start with the basics.
Most roofs can accommodate a photovoltaic system. Its potential depends notably on its surface area, orientation, pitch, any shaded areas and its general condition.
Even a roof that does not seem ideal at first glance can offer great possibilities. A technical study will determine the most suitable solution for your home.
No! A south-facing orientation generally maximises annual production, but east or west-facing roofs can also be very worthwhile.
They produce more in the morning or at the end of the day, when electricity needs are often higher. The key is to find the right balance between your roof, your production and your consumption.
Both solutions have their advantages!
On-roof mounting (over-roof) is generally more economical, simpler to install and allows for good ventilation of the panels.
In-roof integration, on the other hand, replaces part of the existing roof covering and offers a more uniform architectural finish. It is particularly interesting for new builds or roof renovations.
The best choice depends on the condition of your roof, your budget and your aesthetic preferences.
This depends on their design and finish. The visible lines correspond to the electrical connections between the photovoltaic cells.
Entirely black panels, known as ‘full black’, offer a more homogeneous and discreet appearance on the roof. They are particularly popular for their aesthetics.
The choice depends on your preferences, but also on the performance and technical characteristics of the models offered.
02 — Costs, subsidies and profitability
What budget should you plan for? What aid is available in Switzerland? And above all, is it a worthwhile investment?
The cost depends on several factors: the size of the installation, the configuration of your roof, the equipment chosen and any additional work required.
There is therefore no single price. A personalised study allows us to estimate the necessary investment, possible subsidies and the savings you could make.
In Switzerland, photovoltaic installations can benefit from a one-off remuneration (EIV) from the Confederation, managed by Pronovo. Cantonal or municipal aid may also be available depending on where you live.
The amount depends notably on the power and type of installation. At Younergy, we help you identify the available aid and support you through the process.
Yes, a solar installation can be profitable, but every project is different.
Its profitability depends notably on the initial investment, subsidies, your production, the price of electricity and, above all, the amount of energy you consume directly.
Today, the value of solar is no longer based solely on selling the surplus to the grid. It is also your ability to intelligently use the electricity you produce that makes the difference.
To go further: Is solar still profitable in Switzerland in 2027?.
03 — Produce, store and enjoy your energy
Producing your own electricity is one thing. Taking full advantage of it is another.
When your panels produce more electricity than you use, several possibilities exist.
You can feed this surplus into the grid, store it in a battery to use later or, depending on your situation, share it with other consumers through collective self-consumption models.
A smart energy management system can also help you better synchronise certain uses with your solar production.
To go further: vZEV, ZEV and LEG: the guide to sharing your solar electricity.
Yes, in many cases! A battery allows you to keep part of the electricity produced during the day to use later, particularly in the evening.
It is therefore not necessary to have planned for a battery when your panels were first installed. Feasibility depends, however, on your current system, notably your inverter and its compatibility with a storage solution.
To go further: Is a solar battery really profitable?.
Absolutely! A heat pump can run on the electricity produced by your solar panels to heat your home or produce hot water.
By combining this equipment with a smart energy management system, it is possible to adapt certain operating cycles to periods of solar production.
A way to better use your own electricity while reducing your dependence on the grid.
Yes! A suitable charging station allows you to directly use the electricity produced by your solar installation.
With smart management, charging can even automatically adapt to the amount of solar energy available.
You thus benefit from your own production for your journeys and increase your self-consumption rate.
To go further: Produce, consume, store: how to get the best from your energy.
04 — Installation, lifespan and recycling
How long does an installation last? How do you maintain it? And what happens to the equipment at the end of its life?
The installation of the panels themselves generally takes a few days, depending on the size and complexity of the system.
The overall timeframe is longer, as it also includes the technical study, any permits, procedures with the grid operator, site planning and commissioning.
Each project has its own schedule, which we present to you before the work begins.
Solar panels are designed to produce electricity for 25 to 30 years, or even longer. Their efficiency decreases gradually, but they can continue to operate well beyond this period.
Certain components, such as the inverter, have a shorter lifespan, generally 10 to 15 years, and may require replacement.
Regular monitoring allows for the detection of any anomalies and maintains good performance over time.
Like other electrical equipment, a photovoltaic installation generates electric and magnetic fields.
According to the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), exposure levels measured in typical living areas remain very low compared to regulatory limit values.
Proper design, particularly for cable routing and the location of the inverter, helps to further limit these exposures.
Yes! Solar panels are largely recyclable and some can even have a second life.
When they are still in good working order, they can be checked and reused on other installations. Otherwise, they go to specialised facilities that recover various materials, notably glass, aluminium, copper and, depending on the processes, silicon and silver.
In Switzerland, SENS eRecycling organises the collection and treatment of used panels.
Specialised facilities in Europe, notably in France in the Grenoble region, are also developing advanced material recovery processes.
Solar batteries can also be recycled at the end of their life.
They are handled by specialised companies that process the various components and recover raw materials such as lithium, copper, aluminium and other metals, depending on their composition.
In Switzerland, the INOBAT organisation oversees the collection and recycling of batteries. Companies like Librec, in Biberist in the canton of Solothurn, also participate in the development of lithium-ion battery recycling.
For safety reasons, the dismantling and handling of a domestic solar battery must be entrusted to professionals.
05 — Your project with Younergy
Behind a solar installation, there are also people, expertise and support. Let’s get to know each other.
Every project begins with a discussion to understand your home, your needs and your expectations.
Our specialists then study the technical possibilities, propose a suitable solution and support you through the administrative procedures.
Then come the planning, installation, checks and commissioning. And our support does not stop there: we remain by your side for monitoring and any future needs for your installation.
Younergy has its own teams of specialists who are involved in the design, coordination and implementation of projects.
Depending on the specific requirements of the site, we also collaborate with qualified partners.
In all cases, Younergy remains your point of contact throughout the project, from the first discussion to commissioning and follow-up.
We select our equipment from recognised manufacturers, prioritising reliability, performance and durability.
The origin of the panels can vary according to the brands, technologies and models chosen.
Our role is to offer you a solution adapted to your project, with full transparency regarding the equipment chosen and its characteristics.
Yes! The story of Younergy began in 2015, on the EPFL campus in Lausanne, with three co-founders driven by the same conviction: to make solar energy more accessible.
Since then, this entrepreneurial adventure has become a company present in several regions of Switzerland, supporting both individuals and professionals in their energy transition.
To discover our journey: The story of Younergy, from EPFL to today.
The name Younergy combines two English words: “You” and “Energy”.
It reflects a simple idea: placing people and their needs at the heart of energy solutions.
A philosophy that has guided us since our beginnings and which today takes on its full meaning with our Beyond Solar approach: thinking about energy as a whole, far beyond just solar panels.
Every home is different. Every project too.
Do you still have questions?
If you haven’t found the answer you’re looking for, or if you simply want to better understand the possibilities for your home, our teams are here to advise you.