Zermatt, one of Switzerland’s most iconic alpine villages, has been a certified Energy City since 2016. This prestigious label reflects the municipality’s commitment to long-term energy efficiency and climate-friendly policies. With goals such as drastically reducing fossil fuel use by 2035 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050, Zermatt is setting an ambitious path forward.
A key solution in reaching these goals lies above our heads: solar roofs. Despite Zermatt’s excellent potential for solar energy, many suitable roof surfaces have historically remained unused. The challenge isn’t just technical, it’s also aesthetic. As a historic mountain village known for its slate roofs and traditional architecture, Zermatt must preserve its unique visual identity while embracing renewable energy.
This is where SunStyle’s building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) come in. Designed to combine high-performance solar energy production with the timeless look of slate tiles, SunStyle solar roofs offer a visually seamless solution for heritage-sensitive areas like Zermatt.
Below we present five unique projects: hotels, chalets, and guesthouses, that show how solar roofs in Zermatt are already shaping the village’s sustainable future.
Hotel Welschen: Tradition Renewed with Solar Power
Located in the heart of Zermatt, Hotel Welschen recently underwent a complete transformation, expanding from 14 to 29 rooms and upgrading from 3-star to a 4-star hotel. The redevelopment included new wellness amenities such as a pool and spa, ensuring comfort while preserving alpine charm.
The roof caused a complex challenge: built in stages, with varying angles and surfaces, the roof required careful planning to maximize solar efficiency. SunStyle worked closely with the renovation team to design a solar roof in stages, ensuring each section contributed effectively to the building’s overall energy production.
Now, the hotel not only offers modern luxury but also contributes to clean solar energy directly from its SunStyle roof, showcasing how sustainability and tourism excellence can go hand in hand.
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House Mojo: Alpine Charm Meets Lucky Energy
At the foot of the Matterhorn, next to the cable car station, sits House Mojo: a vacation rental residence inspired by the concept of “Mojo,” meaning luck and protection. With its panoramic views and playful spirit, the house offers guests a unique alpine experience.
The roof, a traditional pitched design, featured multiple chimneys and skylights that complicated solar integration. Thanks to SunStyle’s modular solar tiles, the system was carefully planned around these obstacles, ensuring optimal energy yield without disrupting the design harmony.
The result: a solar roof that reflects both the lucky charm of House Mojo and the broader energy transition in Zermatt. Guests enjoy not only stunning views but also the assurance that their stay is powered, in part, by renewable energy.
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Face d’Or: Luxury, Art, and Solar Innovation
Designed in collaboration with architect and artist Heinz Julen, Face d’Or combines modern architecture, luxury apartments, and creative flair. The residence houses four exclusive apartments with hotel service, a professional music studio and a rooftop wellness area. Blending luxury and lifestyle in the Alps.
For the roof, a pitched design with chimneys and skylights required precise solar integration. SunStyle’s slate-inspired tiles provided both the aesthetics needed for a luxury property and the energy performance to match its forward-thinking ethos.
Here, sustainability is not an add-on but part of the overall experience: guests and residents can enjoy state-of-the-art living while knowing their home contributes to Zermatt’s clean energy future.
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Chalet Nirvana: Rustic Elegance Powered by the Sun
Unveiled in 2024 by Erlacher, Chalet Nirvana redefines luxury in Zermatt. With aged wood, sleek modern finishes, and breathtaking Matterhorn views, the chalet blends rustic alpine charm with contemporary design. Features such as a suspended fireplace, spa area, and wine cellar make it a haven for relaxation and indulgence.
The roof, a cross-gable structure with several skylights and chimneys, required detailed planning. SunStyle’s solar roof provided a perfect solution: energy generation without compromising the chalet’s carefully crafted aesthetics.
For guests, the solar integration is invisible but the benefits are tangible. Chalet Nirvana demonstrates how even high-end residences in Zermatt can align with the municipality’s energy goals while offering uncompromised luxury.
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Hotel Tannenhof: Central Location, Sustainable Stay
Located in the heart of Zermatt, Hotel Tannenhof welcomes guests with traditional alpine hospitality. Its roof, an offset gable design with several skylights, presented similar integration challenges as other properties in the village.
SunStyle’s solar roof solution proved ideal: modular, flexible, and visually consistent with Zermatt’s architectural language. The result is a roof that looks like traditional slate but produces renewable energy for the hotel’s daily operations.
With this installation, Hotel Tannenhof shows how even centrally located properties in heritage-rich areas can contribute to the energy transition without altering the character of Zermatt’s historic skyline.
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Why Solar Roofs Matter in Zermatt
All five projects highlight a simple truth: in Zermatt, solar roofs are more than energy systems, they are part of the village’s identity.
- They preserve architectural charm while enabling the energy transition.
- They provide reliable, renewable power for hotels, chalets, and homes.
- They show that tradition and innovation are not opposites but allies.
For homeowners, architects, and developers, these projects are proof that the advantages of SunStyle solar roofs, durability, aesthetics, performance, are not theoretical but lived reality. Learn more about SunStyle’s advantages here.
Ready to Start Your Own Energy Transition?
Whether in Zermatt or beyond, SunStyle solar roofs prove that beautiful architecture and renewable energy can coexist. By choosing an integrated solution, you contribute to climate goals, strengthen local energy independence, and preserve the cultural heritage of your region. Because in Zermatt, the transition to a cleaner future doesn’t begin on paper, it begins on the roof.
Ready to start your own energy transition? Contact SunStyle today to learn more about our aesthetic solar roof solutions. From Zermatt to beyond.
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