Swissolar

What Swissolar does

Swissolar (legal name: Swissolar – Schweizerischer Branchenverband für Sonnenenergie) is the Swiss national trade association for solar energy, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Zürich with regional offices serving the French-speaking (Agence Suisse romande) and Italian-speaking (Segretariato Svizzera italiana) parts of Switzerland. It is a non-profit membership organization with approximately 39 employees that coordinates the country's solar industry through professional certification, training, market intelligence, and policy advocacy. Its core offerings include the 'Die Solarprofis®' quality label for certified solar installers, a suite of deterministic engineering and economic calculation tools (Solarrechner, Wirtschaftlichkeitsrechner, Windlast-Tool, ElektroForm solar, Blendtool, GK-Tool, Eignungskarte Sonnendach, SOQ), and the Swissolar-Kurse vocational training programs. It also publishes the annual Solarmonitor Schweiz and Batteriemonitor Schweiz market reports, runs the PV-Tagung (Swiss Photovoltaic Conference with 700+ participants) and Solar-Betriebskongress events, and operates an e-commerce shop for publications and workwear.

The association's business model is a hybrid of recurring and transactional revenue streams. Annual membership subscriptions provide recurring income and unlock member-only discounts (e.g., the GK-Tool is free for members versus CHF 1,500 for non-members; the 'Photovoltaikanlagen' book is CHF 106.50 for members versus CHF 142 retail). Revenue is supplemented by paid professional training courses, event ticket and sponsorship income, shop sales of publications and work materials, and co-financing from EnergieSchweiz for joint initiatives such as the Solarlehre apprenticeship program. Swissolar serves three primary personas: building owners seeking vetted installers via the Solarprofis directory, solar professionals (Fachpersonen) requiring certification and continuing education, and member companies (installers, distributors, manufacturers, energy utilities) seeking industry representation, networking, and market data. The association is governed by a Vorstand (board), maintains strategic partnerships with EnergieSchweiz, Polybau, suissetec, and ESTI, and drives regulatory advocacy through its Aktionsplan 2030 initiative, particularly around the 2027 dynamic feed-in tariff framework.

Name

Swissolar

Legal name

Swissolar – Schweizerischer Branchenverband für Sonnenenergie

Website

https://swissolar.ch

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Swissolar is Switzerland's national solar energy trade association (non-profit), operating the 'Die Solarprofis' installer certification, vocational training, market reports, and major industry events (PV-Tagung, Solar-Betriebskongress) for building owners, solar professionals, and member companies across all three Swiss language regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Energy Industry Association

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar Workforce, Training & Safety Services (Installer Training, Certification, EHS) (EUAMABAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Solar Quality, Testing, Certification & Standards (Lab Testing, Inspections, Compliance) (EUAMABAN), Standards, Certification & Compliance (RECs/GOs, sustainability reporting) (EUAMANAJ)

Keywords

• Solar industry association
• Professional solar training
• Solar installer certification
• Renewable energy advocacy
• Solar market reports

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Swissolar operates a membership-based model offering various categories with different pricing tiers. Members receive benefits including discounts on shop products (e.g., GK-Tool free for members vs CHF 1,500 regular), legal advice, ombudsman services, and exclusive access to tools and resources.
2. Training courses and certifications: Revenue from modular PV planning courses, project management courses, and other professional development programs. Courses include 'Solarstrom Basis' and advanced courses that lead to certification for the 'Solarprofis' quality label.
3. Shop products and publications: Sale of technical publications like 'Photovoltaikanlagen' by Christof Bucher (CHF 142 regular, CHF 106.50 members), professional tools, work materials, and promotional items including T-shirts, hoodies, and educational materials.
4. Events and conferences: Revenue from organizing and hosting events including the annual Swiss Photovoltaic Conference (PV-Tagung), Solar-Betriebskongress, Solar-Update, Swissolar Webinars, and other professional gatherings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Swissolar operates as Switzerland's national solar energy industry association (Branchenverband), providing the "Die Solarprofis" quality certification label for vetted solar installers, professional PV training courses, the annual PV-Tagung industry conference, market intelligence reports (Solarmonitor, Batteriemonitor), the public Solarrechner calculation tool, a consumer-facing Solarprofis installer directory, and member services including legal advice and an ombudsman function for member companies.

Product overview

Swissolar is Switzerland's national solar energy trade association (Schweizerischer Branchenverband für Sonnenenergie) providing industry coordination, professional training, and certification services rather than a single product. The portfolio centers on the 'Die Solarprofis®' quality label for certified installers, complemented by online calculation tools (Solarrechner, Wirtschaftlichkeitsrechner, Windlast-Tool, Blendtool, Betriebskalkulation/GK-Tool), professional training courses (Swissolar-Kurse for PV planning and installation), and a knowledge database. Swissolar also publishes market reports (Solarmonitor, Batteriemonitor), organizes industry events (PV-Tagung, Solar-Betriebskongress, webinars), maintains a member-only shop for publications and workwear, and offers membership services including legal advice and ombudsman support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Die Solarprofis: A quality label for certified solar professionals in Switzerland
• Solarlehre
• Swissolar-Kurse
• Solar-Betriebskongress
• Solarmonitor Schweiz
• Batteriemonitor Schweiz

Products and services

• Die Solarprofis Quality Certification

Named customers14 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• EnergieSchweiz / SuisseEnergie / SvizzeraEnergiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwissolar is a partner of EnergieSchweiz (Swiss Energy Agency), working jointly on solar education materials, professional training, and industry development initiatives. EnergieSchweiz co-finances Swissolar projects including the Solarlehre (solar apprenticeship) promotional materials. This partnership provides official backing and government collaboration for Swissolar's activities.
• Polybau (Bildungszentrum Polybau)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwissolar developed the solar apprenticeship programs (Solarinstallateur:in EFZ and Solarmonteur:in EBA) in collaboration with Polybau. These programs are integrated into the building envelope professional field. Polybau serves as the educational partner for vocational training in the solar industry.
• suissetecmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwissolar collaborates with suissetec on professional development, particularly in solar installation training and project management courses. Suissetec is also a partner in the industry branch solution (EKAS Nr. 80) for occupational safety and health protection in building technology.
• ESTI (Eidgenössisches Starkstrominspektorat)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwissolar works with ESTI on the limited installation authorization (Art. 14 NIV) for solar installation work, referring professionals to ESTI-authorized training courses and examinations for solar installation certification.
• IKEA AG SchweizminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIKEA Switzerland is a member of Swissolar, demonstrating retail sector collaboration in the solar industry for residential solar solutions.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SolarPower Europe: Brussels-based EU-level solar industry association representing the European solar value chain. Directly comparable business model (membership dues, policy advocacy, market intelligence reports, awards/events) but with a pan-European rather than national mandate.
• Solar Energy UK: UK national solar industry association offering membership, training, installer directories (MCS-related work), and policy advocacy. Closely matches Swissolar's positioning as a national trade body serving installer, distribution, and developer members.
• SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association): US national solar industry trade association. Closely comparable mission (advocacy, market intelligence, events, member services) at much larger scale; often cited as the model Swissolar-style associations benchmark against.
• ANIE Rinnovabili: Italian federation representing renewable energy and solar companies within the ANIE industrial confederation. Comparable to Swissolar as a national membership-based solar industry body providing training, events, and policy representation.
• BSW Solar (Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft): Germany's national solar industry trade association. Directly comparable to Swissolar as a membership-based body representing installers, distributors, and manufacturers; runs policy advocacy, training, and a flagship industry event — scaled to a much larger German market.

Regional players

• suissetec: Swiss building-services trade association covering HVAC, plumbing, and electrical trades. Comparable partner-and-overlap entity in Switzerland, with overlapping training programs and member base in solar installation.
• France Énergie Solaire (formerly Syndicat des Énergies Renouvelables solar commission): French national association dedicated to solar thermal and photovoltaic. Comparable to Swissolar as a national industry voice covering training, market data, and policy — but focused on the French market rather than Switzerland.
• DGS (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Sonnenenergie): German solar society focused on solar energy knowledge, training courses, and publications. Comparable to Swissolar's training and Fachwissensdatenbank (expert knowledge database) offerings, particularly on continuing education and technical knowledge dissemination.
• PV Austria (Bundesverband Photovoltaic Austria): Austrian national solar industry association. Highly comparable national trade body providing installer certification (PV Austria quality label), training, events, and policy advocacy — but operating in Austria rather than Switzerland.

Broad incumbents

• TÜV Rheinland (Solar / Renewables certification practice): Global testing, inspection, and certification incumbent offering solar installer and PV system certification schemes internationally. Comparable to Swissolar's Solarprofis quality-label function but as part of a much broader portfolio rather than as a solar specialist.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@solarlehre
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/solarlehre.ch
• TikToktiktok.com/@solarlehre.ch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/swissolar

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Swissolar