📘 Complete Guide · Switzerland 2026
vZEV Switzerland 2026:
Virtual joint self-consumption explained
Virtual joint self-consumption (vZEV) has been possible in Switzerland since 1 January 2025 and closes the gap between the single-building ZEV and the community-wide LEG. You can share solar power across multiple buildings — without a shared physical connection. We explain who vZEV is worth it for, what it costs, and how to get started in 4 steps.
Direct comparison of all three models: ZEV vs. vZEV vs. LEG — complete three-way comparison →
vZEV in 60 seconds
The essentials
- A vZEV links 2 or more buildings that share solar power — without a shared physical house connection.
- Possible since 1 January 2025 (first ordinance package of the Mantelerlass). Legal basis: EnG Art. 16–18, EnV Art. 14–18.
- Requirement: all participants in the same DSO area + smart meters at every site.
- Power is allocated in 15-minute intervals virtually to Building B (or C, D…) — no physical work needed.
- Ideal for: neighbouring properties owned by the same person, mixed-use areas (residential + commercial), housing cooperatives with multiple buildings.
What is a vZEV? A 2026 definition
Virtual joint self-consumption (vZEV) is an extension of the classic ZEV to several buildings that do not need to share a physical house connection. Solar power is allocated virtually across the public distribution grid — with smart meters on all sides providing the data.
The difference from a ZEV in one sentence: ZEV = one building, one connection, power flows internally. vZEV = several buildings, each with its own connection, power flows through the public grid and is only allocated on paper.
The difference from a LEG in one sentence: vZEV = a closed group with a written agreement, usually the same owner or a tight partnership. LEG = an open marketplace across an entire municipality, members come and go, no shared owner required.
2025
is the year vZEV became possible in Switzerland — through the first ordinance package of the Mantelerlass (in force 1 January 2025). It fills the gap between the single-building ZEV and the municipality-wide LEG.
How does a vZEV work technically?
1
PV system produces in Building A. Surplus is fed into the distribution grid as always.
2
Smart meter records the feed-in in real time (15-minute intervals). That is the data point for virtual allocation.
3
Power flows physically into the distribution grid — just like any normal feed-in. No retrofit, no new wiring.
4
Virtual allocation:the vZEV platform distributes the produced power proportionally to Building B (and C, D…) — based on each consumer's smart-meter readings.
5
Billing: the DSO treats the vZEV as a single unit. Members pay the internal vZEV tariff for the solar share allocated to them — and the normal grid tariff for the rest.
Who can set up a vZEV?
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| All participants in the same DSO area | Typically the same municipality; sometimes a neighbouring one if the same operator covers it |
| Smart meters at every participant | Mandatory — provided by the grid operator; you do not buy them yourself |
| At least 1 producer + 1 consumer | Self-consumption needs both sides |
| Written agreement | Sets the allocation key, internal tariff, liability and exit rules |
| Same voltage level (typically low voltage) | All participants must be on the same grid level |
Typical use cases — when vZEV fits
✅
Two adjacent multi-family buildings owned by the same person — one has PV, the other consumes the surplus.
✅
Residential building + adjacent commercial property (bakery, office) — the business has high daytime consumption, ideal for PV surplus.
✅
Multiple properties of a housing cooperative — unified administration, multiple consumption points.
✅
ZEV + neighbouring building — an existing ZEV stays, an adjacent building is added via vZEV.
❌
Buildings in different DSO areas — that is the LEG use case, not vZEV.
❌
Neighbourhood or municipality scale with many owners — the LEG is more flexible and does not require everyone to agree.
✓ Am I vZEV-eligible?
3 questions — instant answer.
1. How many buildings would take part?
2. Are all buildings in the same grid area (same DSO)?
3. Do all buildings have smart meters (or can they be installed)?
What does a vZEV cost?
One-off costs
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Smart meter per participant | CHF 0 — provided by the grid operator |
| Consulting / setting up the agreement | CHF 500–2,000 one-time |
| Platform setup (e.g. Upgrid) | Coordinated via Upgrid, no upfront fee for members |
| PV system (if not yet installed) | CHF 1,200–1,700/kWp incl. installation (Swissolar 2026) |
Recurring costs
| Item | Per year |
|---|---|
| Billing service provider (e.g. Upgrid) | CHF 200–800 (depends on number of buildings) |
| Self-administration | 15–30 hours of effort |
| Grid fees (residual draw) | As normal — reduced tariff only on the vZEV-internal share |
Example: vZEV with two MFH
Building A has 12 kWp PV (11,400 kWh annual yield). Building B consumes 18,000 kWh/year. Self-consumption rate across the network: ~55%. Each of the 6 units in Building B pays roughly 19 Rp./kWh for its vZEV share instead of 27.7 Rp. — Saving per flat: CHF 120–200/year. The owner of Building A earns ~15 Rp./kWh for the internally sold share instead of ~8.5 Rp. feed-in.
vZEV billing: who pays whom what?
1
Smart meter data from all participants flows monthly to the DSO and the vZEV platform.
2
The platform calculates for each 15-minute interval: which consumer received which share of the internal solar power?
3
Internal tariff (set when the vZEV was created, typically 18–22 Rp./kWh): consumers pay this rate for the solar power allocated to them.
4
Residual draw from your regular electricity supplier at the standard tariff — automatically billed separately.
5
Monthly billing is produced by the vZEV operator. Members receive an overview: vZEV share, residual draw, total bill.
vZEV vs. ZEV vs. LEG — when to use which?
| Criterion | ZEV | vZEV | LEG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope | 1 building, 1 connection | 2+ buildings, same DSO | Entire municipality, same DSO |
| Introduced | 2018 | 1 January 2025 | 1 January 2026 |
| Ownership structure | Typically 1 owner or condo association | Typically 1 owner of multiple buildings, or by agreement | Open — anyone joins individually |
| Smart meter | Recommended | Mandatory for all | Mandatory for all |
| Internal grid fees | None (internal consumption) | Reduced on the vZEV share | 40% discount (NE5) / 20% (NE7) |
| Owner consent | All co-owners | Agreement between participants | Not needed — individual sign-up |
| Renters can join | Through the landlord (ZEV) | Through the landlord (vZEV agreement) | Independently, no landlord needed |
| Best choice when… | 1 building, all on board | 2–4 neighbouring properties, same owner | Neighbourhood / municipality, many owners |
Deeper guides: ZEV → · LEG complete guide → · Three-way comparison →
🔀 ZEV, vZEV or LEG? In 30 seconds
Click your situation.
How many buildings, and what ownership structure?
Setting up a vZEV: 4 steps
1
Check eligibility. Are all buildings in the same DSO area? Smart meters in place or available on request? At least 1 producer + 1 consumer?
2
Draw up the agreement. Written terms: allocation key (who gets how much), internal tariff, liability, exit rules. Upgrid supports this with template agreements.
3
Register with the DSO. Sign-up runs via the platform. The grid operator checks the technical conditions. It is legally required to install smart meters on request.
4
Go live. Once the DSO confirms, virtual allocation starts. First bills typically arrive after 1–3 months.
Benefits of a vZEV
| Benefit | For whom |
|---|---|
| Higher self-consumption rate than each building separately | PV owners, all participants |
| Better economics for a large PV system that would overwhelm one building | Owners with a large system |
| Reduced grid fees on the vZEV-internal share | All consumers in the vZEV |
| Unified administration instead of 2–3 separate ZEVs | Administrators, owners of multiple buildings |
| A stepping stone to the LEG — anyone planning to scale later can convert a vZEV into a LEG | Growing communities |
“The vZEV is the right answer when your solar potential is bigger than your building — but smaller than your municipality.”
Legal basis of the vZEV
The vZEV was enabled by the first ordinance package of the Mantelerlass, which came into force on 1 January 2025. The legal foundations are clearly defined:
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Energy Act (EnG) Art. 16–18:Governs virtual joint self-consumption, the framework conditions for participants, and the grid operator's role.
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Energy Ordinance (EnV) Art. 14–18: Specifies the technical requirements, the smart-meter obligation, and data standards for virtual billing (source: AEW Energie AG, aew.ch).
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15-minute data resolution: DSOs must supply smart-meter data in the SDAT-CH standard so that virtual allocation is possible.
→
Right to leave: Individual members can exit the vZEV. Specific notice periods are set in the written agreement (similar to ZEV: once per year).
vZEV for renters
Unlike the LEG, where renters can join independently, vZEV renters typically join via their landlord — because the vZEV requires a written agreement between property owners.
!
Voluntary: No renter can be forced to join. Exit is possible once a year.
!
Transparent billing:The internal tariff must be clearly disclosed and may not exceed the DSO's external net tariff.
!
The savings are real: Typically CHF 80–200/year per residential unit — the same order of magnitude as a ZEV.
!
The LEG alternative:As a renter, you can also join a LEG independently — without your landlord's agreement. Solar power for renters →
Frequently asked questions about vZEV
A vZEV (virtual joint self-consumption arrangement) connects 2 or more buildings that share solar power — without needing to be physically connected. Power flows into the grid but is allocated virtually to the consumption of the partner buildings. The whole thing runs on smart meters and a billing platform.
ZEV = one building behind one shared house connection. Power flows internally, the grid is not involved. vZEV = several buildings with separate connections. Power flows through the public grid and is allocated virtually. Smart meters at every participant are mandatory in a vZEV.
vZEV = closed network, usually the same owner or a tight written agreement, typically 2–4 buildings. LEG = open marketplace for an entire municipality; individuals join without needing to agree with anyone else. For neighbourhood projects and situations with different owners, the LEG is the right route. LEG guide →
Owners of 2 or more buildings in the same DSO area, with at least one PV system and smart meters at every participant. Typical: owners of several multi-family buildings, housing cooperatives, commercial areas with residential parts. A written agreement between all participants is required.
One-off: CHF 500–2,000 for consulting and the agreement. Smart meter: CHF 0 (provided by the DSO). PV system if needed: CHF 1,200–1,700/kWp. Ongoing: CHF 200–800/year for the billing service provider, depending on building count.
Yes — smart meters are mandatory in a vZEV at every participant (producers and consumers). Without 15-minute readings, virtual allocation is not possible. The grid operator is legally required to install them on request — you do not buy them yourself.
Since 1 January 2025 — through the first ordinance package of the Mantelerlass (Federal Act on a Secure Electricity Supply with Renewable Energies, popular vote on 9 June 2024). Legal basis: EnG Art. 16–18, EnV Art. 14–18.
The vZEV has no statutory flat discount like the LEG (which has 40%/20% under StromVV Art. 19h). In a vZEV, members benefit because the internally consumed solar power reduces grid fees on residual draw — less power is pulled from the grid. The effective advantage depends on the self-consumption share and the DSO tariff.
Yes — an existing vZEV can join a LEG or be converted into one. That makes growth possible: you start with a small group and open it up to the entire municipality later. Upgrid supports this transition.
Check your vZEV eligibility —
free.
Not sure whether vZEV or LEG is the right fit? Upgrid advises on and operates both models.
Free. No commitment. For owners and cooperatives.
Further reading
ZEV Switzerland 2026: self-consumption explained →
LEG Switzerland 2026: complete guide →
Sources: EnG Art. 16–18 and EnV Art. 14–18 (legal basis vZEV, fedlex.admin.ch); AEW Energie AG — vZEV basics (aew.ch); EKZ — ZEV, vZEV and LEG briefly explained (ekz.ch, Feb 2025); ewb — setting up a (v)ZEV (ewb.ch); BKW — vZEV explained (bkw.ch); Swissolar HER Handbook 2025 (swissolar.ch); Balthasar Legal — self-consumption models 2026 (balthasar-legal.ch); VSE Electricity Act Mantelerlass (strom.ch). Information without guarantee — clarify individual questions with a specialist.