📘 Complete Guide · Switzerland 2026
LEG Switzerland 2026: Local Electricity Community —
the complete guide
Since 1 January 2026, the Local Electricity Community (LEG, also referred to as a “local energy community”) is reality in Switzerland — the simplest way to share solar power with your neighbours, or buy it from them. No new supplier, no new hardware, with reduced grid fees. We explain every detail.
LEG in 60 seconds — the essentials
The essentials
- A LEG connects solar producers with consumers in the same municipality — even without your own roof, even as a renter.
- It has been Swiss law since 1 January 2026 (Mantelerlass, StromVG Art. 17a ff.).
- Consumers get a 40% discount on grid feesfor locally sourced solar power (StromVV Art. 19h). Across multiple grid levels: 20%.
- Producers earn ~15 Rp./kWh instead of ~8.5 Rp. feed-in tariff.
- You keep your current electricity supplier. Only how you source — and the price — changes.
What is a LEG? A 2026 definition
A Local Electricity Community (LEG) is a legal grouping of electricity consumers and solar producers within the same distribution grid area — typically the same political municipality. Producers sell their surplus solar power directly to neighbours at a price between feed-in tariff (~8.5 Rp./kWh) and the full net tariff (~27.7 Rp./kWh). Power flows virtually over the existing public distribution grid — no new wiring, no shared house connection required.
What the LEG is not: not a supplier switch, not new hardware (the grid operator supplies the smart meter), no work on your house wiring.
2026
is the year the Mantelerlass becomes fully operational. The LEG is part of the biggest reform of Swiss electricity law in decades. Around 590 Swiss grid operators must enable LEG sign‑ups.
How does a LEG work? The energy flow explained
1
Solar producer feeds in. Surplus solar power goes into the local distribution grid as before. Nothing changes about the physical installation.
2
Smart meters record production and consumption. Every 15 minutes, feed‑in and draw are measured precisely. That’s the data foundation of the LEG.
3
The LEG platform (e.g. Upgrid) matches.The software offsets production and consumption within the community — which consumer receives how much local solar power in that 15‑minute interval.
4
Consumers pay the LEG tariff.For the locally sourced share: typically 18–22 Rp./kWh instead of 27.7 Rp. Whatever isn’t covered locally comes from the grid operator at the standard tariff.
5
Reduced grid fees.40% discount at NE5 level, 20% if the transformation grid level is used (StromVV Art. 19h).
Is a LEG worth it? Concrete numbers
Case 1: Solar producer (10 kWp, single-family home)
| Feed-in tariff (annual average) | ~8.5 Rp./kWh |
| LEG tariff (negotiated) | ~15 Rp./kWh |
| Surplus/year (approx.) | 5,000 kWh |
| Feed-in revenue | CHF 425/year |
| LEG revenue | CHF 750/year |
+CHF 325/year · +76% more revenue
Case 2: Consumer (4,500 kWh/year)
| Standard tariff (ElCom median 2026) | 27.7 Rp./kWh |
| LEG tariff (50% share) | ~20 Rp./kWh |
| Before (total) | CHF 1,247/year |
| With LEG (50% share) | CHF 1,113/year |
−CHF 134/year · ~11% lower electricity costs
🧮 LEG Savings Calculator
Calculate your benefit — as consumer or producer.
Annual consumption
1'00020'000 kWh
Solar from LEG
2'475 kWh
Remaining from grid
2'025 kWh
Estimated saving
CHF 521/year
Basis: LEG tariff 15 Rp./kWh, grid 27.7 Rp./kWh (ElCom median), 30% grid discount, 55% solar share. Individual results vary.
What does taking part in a LEG cost?
| Role | Entry | Ongoing |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer | CHF 0 joining fee | ~CHF 50–100/year admin fee (depending on the LEG) |
| Producer | CHF 0 — platform margin per kWh traded | No annual fee |
| LEG founder | Setup via Upgrid free for members | Billed as a % of trading volume |
What you don’tpay: no new hardware (smart meter = the grid operator’s job), no supplier switching effort, no penalties on your existing contract.
Who can join a LEG?
| Role | Requirement | Contribution to the LEG |
|---|---|---|
| Homeowner with PV | Smart meter, grid-connected system, same DSO | Sells surplus solar |
| Renter | Smart meter in the house — no landlord consent required | Buys cheaper solar |
| SME / commercial | Smart meter, same DSO | Buys or sells depending on load profile |
| ZEV building | Existing ZEV group, smart meters at all units | Joins as a block and sells surplus |
Geographic rule
All LEG participants must be in the same distribution grid area(typically the same municipality, the same DSO). As a renter, you don’t need your landlord’s consent — you’re only changing where your power comes from. Solar power for renters →
✓ Can I join an LEG?
3 questions — instant answer.
1. What are you?
2. Do you have a smart meter?
3. Are you a tenant or owner?
LEG vs. ZEV vs. vZEV — what’s the difference?
| Criterion | ZEV | vZEV | LEG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope | One building, one connection | Multiple buildings, same DSO | Entire municipality, same DSO |
| Introduced | 2018 | 1 January 2025 | 1 January 2026 (Mantelerlass) |
| Grid‑fee discount | — (no internal grid fee) | Reduced | 40% (NE5) / 20% (NE7) — StromVV Art. 19h |
| Owner consent | Yes (all co‑owners) | Yes (by agreement) | No — individuals join |
| Renters can join | Only with landlord OK | Only by agreement | Yes, independently |
| Ideal for | 1 building, all on board | 2–4 neighbouring properties, same owner | Neighbourhood / municipality scale |
Deeper guides: ZEV → · vZEV → · Three‑way comparison →
🔀 ZEV, vZEV or LEG? Find your model
Click your situation — instant recommendation.
Which scenario best describes you?
How do I set up a LEG? 5 steps
1
Check your smart meter.Do you have one? If not: grid operators are required to install one on request within 3 months (Art. 17a para. 3 StromVG).
2
Find members. At least 1 producer + 1 consumer in the same municipality / DSO area.
3
Pick a platform.Upgrid handles matching, billing, DSO data exchange and compliance — you don’t need your own tech stack.
4
Inform the DSO.Sign‑up runs via the platform. The grid operator has limited statutory grounds to refuse.
5
Go live.Once the DSO confirms, the billing period starts. First credits typically arrive after 1–2 months.
The legal basis of the LEG
The LEG is based on the Mantelerlass — the Federal Act on a Secure Electricity Supply with Renewable Energies, which Swiss voters approved on 9 June 2024. The second ordinance package, which makes the LEG operational, came into force on 1 January 2026.
→
StromVG Art. 17a ff.: Defines the LEG, the rights and duties of participants, and the obligations of the DSO.
→
StromVV Art. 19h:Grid‑fee discount of 40% (NE5) / 20% (NE7). The legal ceiling is 60% — Swissolar is pushing for that.
→
DSO obligation:All ~590 grid operators must enable LEG sign‑ups and install smart meters (on request, within 3 months).
→
Renter protection:Renters can join independently — no landlord consent required.
LEG by canton — where does it pay off most?
The higher your current tariff, the bigger the LEG lever. Cantonal medians 2026 (source: ElCom, H4 profile, estimates):
| Canton | Median 2026 (Rp./kWh) | Annual bill (4,500 kWh) | Saving with LEG (50% share) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nidwalden (cheapest canton) | ~22.1 | ~CHF 994 | ~CHF 47/year |
| Aargau | ~24.5 | ~CHF 1,103 | ~CHF 101/year |
| Zürich | ~26.8 | ~CHF 1,206 | ~CHF 152/year |
| Bern | ~27.4 | ~CHF 1,233 | ~CHF 167/year |
| Switzerland (median) | 27.7 | CHF 1,247 | ~CHF 174/year |
| St. Gallen | ~28.5 | ~CHF 1,283 | ~CHF 191/year |
| Basel‑Stadt | ~33.3 | ~CHF 1,497 | ~CHF 299/year |
Estimates based on ElCom tariff data 2026. Check your own municipality at strompreis.elcom.admin.ch · Full tariff overview →
What Upgrid handles in a LEG
| Task | Without a platform | With Upgrid |
|---|---|---|
| Matching production/consumption | Manual calculation | Automatic in 15‑min intervals |
| DSO data exchange (SDAT‑CH) | Your own IT integration | Fully integrated in Upgrid |
| Monthly billing | Manual or your own system | Automated, statutorily compliant |
| DSO registration and compliance | Your responsibility | Upgrid coordinates |
| Member onboarding | Your effort | Upgrid flow, ~2 minutes |
Frequently asked questions about the LEG
An LEG is a community of electricity producers and consumers within a single municipality. Unlike a ZEV, different buildings and owners can participate — solar electricity is distributed through the public grid. The legal basis is the Swiss Energy Act (EnG), effective January 2025.
ZEV: One building, one connection, internal self-consumption. vZEV: Multiple buildings of the same owner, no public grid. LEG: Entire municipality, public grid, grid discount for consumers, different owners. The LEG goes furthest — but is also more complex administratively. Upgrid simplifies that.
No. As a consumer you can join an LEG without owning a solar system. You buy solar electricity from a producer in your municipality — at a tariff cheaper than grid electricity (typically ~15 Rp./kWh vs. ~27.7 Rp./kWh). You only need a smart meter.
LEG members receive a discount on grid usage fees — typically 20–40% of the grid fee. The exact amount is set by the grid operator. This is a direct cost advantage that neither ZEV nor vZEV offers.
Producer: PV system, smart meter (bidirectional meter), registration with grid operator. Consumer: Smart meter. Upgrid coordinates the technical setup and communicates with the grid operator.
Yes! That is one of the most common questions. An existing ZEV can join an LEG as a producer and offer its surplus — what exceeds internal building demand — to the LEG. The models are not mutually exclusive.
With Upgrid the process typically takes 4–8 weeks from first consultation to first billing. The most time-consuming part is coordinating with the grid operator — Upgrid handles that completely. You sign once, we take care of the rest.
Any member can cancel at any time, with a notice period of typically one month from the start of a month. There is no minimum term for consumers. Producers usually have a minimum term set contractually.
Calculate your savings —
in 2 minutes
See how much your household or your PV system can save or earn in an Upgrid LEG.
Free. No supplier switch. For renters and owners.
Are you a producer? Sell your solar power through Upgrid →
Further reading
ZEV Switzerland 2026: self‑consumption explained →
vZEV Switzerland 2026: virtual self‑consumption →
Swiss electricity prices 2026: all cantons →
Sources:StromVG SR 734.7 Art. 17a ff. (fedlex.admin.ch); StromVV Art. 19h (grid‑fee discount); Mantelerlass — popular vote 9 June 2024 (bfe.admin.ch); Swissolar — what’s new in 2026 for PV systems (swissolar.ch); ElCom press release on 2026 electricity prices (elcom.admin.ch, 09.09.2025); Energieradar — revision of the Electricity Act Mantelerlass (energieradar.ch); Balthasar Legal — self‑consumption models 2026 (balthasar-legal.ch). Cantonal medians are estimates — check municipal tariffs via strompreis.elcom.admin.ch.