The “Photovoltaic Barometer 2025”, published for the first time by Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH) and the Swiss software service provider Eturnity AG, offers a 36-page collection of data on the technological development of solar modules and inverters as well as the market shares of the individual manufacturers in Switzerland. The number of installed energy storage systems is also analyzed. The development between 2017 and 2024 is examined, based on a database maintained by Eternity, although no further details are provided. According to Eturnity, hardly any ground-mounted systems are represented in the database, so the results mainly apply to PV systems on buildings.
The evaluation of the database, which was carried out in collaboration with the PV laboratory at BFH, shows that the module output of modules installed in Switzerland has risen from just under 300 watts in 2017 to just under 450 watts in 2024. The increase in output is attributed 30% to higher module efficiencies and 20% to larger modules. “The PV barometer shows: The potential for PV systems in Switzerland is not 50 GW, but 65 GW,” concludes Christof Bucher, Head of the Laboratory for Photovoltaic Systems at Bern University of Applied Sciences.
Another finding is the dwindling share of European inverter manufacturers. This has fallen from 80 percent in 2020 to well under 40 percent in 2024. Almost two thirds of devices now come from Huawei and Sungrow – at least in the rooftop segment.
