How to Switch Electricity Provider as a Renter in Switzerland (2025 Guide)

As a renter in Switzerland, you have the right to choose your electricity provider, regardless of what your landlord or building owner uses. This means you can switch to UpGrid and buy local solar energy even if you don't own your home.Here's how it works:You choose your provider: Swiss law grants tenants the freedom to select their own electricity supplier.No landlord approval needed: You don't need permission from your landlord to switch providers.UpGrid handles everything: We manage the switch process, including coordination with grid operators and your new energy contract.Same infrastructure: You continue using the existing electrical infrastructure in your building — no installation or hardware changes required.With UpGrid, renters can easily access local, renewable energy at competitive prices without needing to own property or install solar panels. Simply sign up, and we'll guide you through the provider switch process.

Do I Still Have a Utility Bill if I Join Upgrid?

Yes, you'll still receive a bill, but it will be different and often lower than traditional utility bills.With UpGrid, you receive:One consolidated bill from UpGrid that includes both your local solar energy purchases and any grid usage fees.Transparent pricing: You'll see exactly how much you're paying for local renewable energy versus grid costs.Potentially lower costs: Many UpGrid customers pay 10–20% less than standard utility rates.What you won't have:No separate utility bill from your traditional provider (if you fully switch).No hidden fees or surprise charges — UpGrid provides clear, upfront pricing.Your UpGrid bill will detail your energy consumption, local solar energy purchased, and all associated costs in an easy-to-understand format. This gives you full transparency while supporting local renewable energy production.

How to Buy Local Solar Energy Without Installing Panels in Switzerland?

You don't need to install solar panels on your roof to access local solar energy. With UpGrid, you can buy electricity directly from local solar producers in your community without any installation or hardware requirements.Here's how it works:Join a local energy community (LEG): UpGrid connects you with solar producers in your area through Switzerland's new Lokale Energiegemeinschaften (LEGs) framework.No equipment needed: You use the existing electrical grid — no panels, batteries, or modifications required on your property.Simple switch: Just sign up with UpGrid, and we handle the provider change and energy sourcing for you.Benefit from local solar: Enjoy clean, renewable energy sourced from your neighbors' solar panels at competitive prices.Benefits for renters and homeowners:Access renewable energy without property ownership or installation costs.Support local producers while reducing your carbon footprint.Save money compared to traditional utility rates.UpGrid makes it easy to participate in the clean energy transition without any upfront investment or installation.

What is a LEG (Energy Communities - Lokale Energiegemeinschaft)?

A Lokale Energiegemeinschaft (LEG), or Local Energy Community, is a legal framework introduced in Switzerland that enables peer-to-peer energy trading within a defined geographic area. LEGs allow solar energy producers to sell electricity directly to local consumers through the public grid.Key features of LEGs:Local energy sharing: Producers can sell surplus solar power to neighbors, businesses, and other consumers in the same community.Geographic boundaries: LEGs operate within specific areas, typically defined by postal codes or municipalities, keeping energy distribution local.Legal framework: The LEG law comes into effect in 2026, making peer-to-peer energy trading fully legal and regulated in Switzerland.No physical connection required: Energy is traded through the existing public grid, so participants don't need to be physically connected.How UpGrid uses LEGs:We organize and manage LEGs in communities across Switzerland.We handle all contracts, billing, and regulatory compliance.We match local solar producers with nearby consumers.LEGs represent the future of decentralized, community-driven renewable energy in Switzerland, and UpGrid makes it easy to participate.

Is Local Energy Cheaper Than Utility Electricity in Switzerland?

Yes, in most cases, local energy through UpGrid is cheaper than traditional utility electricity in Switzerland.Price comparison:Traditional utilities typically charge 0.20–0.30 CHF per kWh to consumers.UpGrid local solar energy is often available at 10–20% below standard utility rates.No middlemen markup: Since energy goes directly from local producers to consumers, there are fewer intermediaries taking margins.Why local energy is more affordable:Direct relationship: Producers sell directly to local consumers, eliminating multiple utility intermediaries.Fair pricing model: Both producers and consumers benefit — producers earn more than feed-in tariffs, while consumers pay less than retail rates.Community-focused: Value stays in the local community rather than going to large utility corporations.Additional benefits beyond price:100% renewable energy from verified local sourcesFull transparency on pricing and sourcingSupport for local economy and energy independenceWith UpGrid, you get cleaner, cheaper, and more local energy compared to traditional utilities.

Can Tenants Switch to Green Electricity in Switzerland?

Yes, absolutely! Tenants in Switzerland have the legal right to choose their own electricity provider, regardless of what their landlord or building uses. This means you can switch to UpGrid and access local green energy even as a renter.Your rights as a tenant:Freedom of choice: Swiss law grants all electricity consumers, including tenants, the right to select their provider.No landlord approval required: You don't need permission from your landlord to switch to a different electricity supplier.Independent contract: You can have your own electricity contract with UpGrid, separate from any building-level agreements.How it works with UpGrid:Simple signup: Join UpGrid as a tenant — we handle the provider switch process.Same infrastructure: You continue using existing building infrastructure; no modifications needed.100% renewable: Access local solar energy from community producers.Cost savings: Often pay less than traditional utility rates.What you need:A smart meter (most Swiss households have or will have one by 2027)Your rental agreement details (for address verification)No installation or equipment requiredUpGrid makes it easy for tenants to participate in the clean energy transition without property ownership or installation costs.

No provider change

Enabled by Swiss Energy Law (LEG)

No new hardware required

Use Clean Local Solar Energy Without Installing Solar Panels

Save money on electricity and support local solar producers – with zero hassle. Enjoy green energy at lower rates without changing your current power provider or installing any equipment

UpGrid Lets Households And Businesses Use Nearby Solar Power, Cutting Bills While Helping Your Community Become More Energy Independent

Use verified local solar power and reduce your CO₂ footprint without installing panels.

Save on Electricity Costs

UpGrid guarantees a lower rate than your current provider's tariff for the solar power you use – meaning immediate savings without changing your habits.

Earn Credits by Referring Friends

You'll save even more on your electricity costs while spreading clean energy in your community

100%

Local EnergyRenewable Energy

Use verified local solar power and reduce your CO₂ footprint without installing panels.

Transparent Billing

Track usage and savings clearly with no hidden fees.

No Installation, No Hardware

Join in minutes with no setup, no meter changes, no hassle.

Be Part of the Future of Energy in Switzerland

Join a local energy community that gives you more control, greater resilience, and a direct role in the clean energy transition.

1. Contact

2. Location

3. Review

The Problem: You can't enjoy solar energy without paying for the installation.

Most electricity in Switzerland comes from large providers at fixed prices — even when cheaper local solar energy exists around you.

You can't benefit from solar without installing panels

Installing panels is expensive

Renters are excluded

You miss out on green energy

Your electricity price is set by the system

You pay standard retail prices

No access to solar

No control over where it comes from

The Solution: Local cheaper solar energy without panels or provider change

Local consumption changes how energy is priced

Same energy & infrastructure

Better value

Reduce reliance on large utilities

Your energy becomes cheaper and greener

Lower electricity costs

100% clean local solar energy

You use solar power before using grid electricity

Automatically matched with local solar power

Once you join, Upgrid matches your consumption with available local solar production. No action needed from you — the system connects you to nearby clean energy automatically. You simply use electricity as usual while benefiting from local solar.

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We match you automatically

Upgrid connects you to a nearby solar energy community. You'll receive your energy offer and contract directly by email.

Sign and start saving

Sign your contract digitally and start using local solar energy. You keep your current provider — you simply use solar energy first.

Stop Overpaying for Electricity

Calculate how much you could save with cheaper local solar energy — no panels needed

PV Earnings Estimator

Informational and non-binding

System Configuration

PV System (kWp)

Yield (kWh/kWp p.a.)

Self-Consumption (%)

Default pricing: 60% of solar production sold to local energy community at an average price of 0.12 CHF/kWh, net of fees, with the remainder sold to the utility at the average market-based feed-in tariff of 0.04 CHF/kWh.

Calculated Results

Annual Production

30.0 MWh

Self-Consumed

9.0 MWh

Surplus Available

21.0 MWh

Community Sales (12.6 MWh)

CHF 1’512

Grid Feed-in (8.4 MWh)

CHF 370.52

Without UpGrid (Pure Feed-in)

CHF 926.31

≈ CHF 77.19 per month

With UpGrid (Community + Feed-in)

CHF 1’882.52

≈ CHF 156.88 per month

Additional Revenue with UpGrid

+CHF 956.21

103% more revenue • No additional fees

UpGrid Advantage: Flat fee of CHF 0.02/kWh. No membership fees, no transaction costs, no additional charges.

Join an UpGrid Community

This calculator is informational and non-binding. Actual savings/earnings vary.

The Most Advanced Dashboard

Transparency is key. That's why we don't gatekeep information from you: Get access to our technology when joining UPGRID and know everything about your spent and usage anytime.

Total transparency

No complexity

Track your savings instantly

Solar energy and renewable energy are described as game-changers for the planet. They encourage use of natural resources to produce clean power, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, cut pollution, fight climate change, and protect the environment for future generations.

Save on your energy bill

Net Balance

+12.5 kWh

Surplus

Produced

12.5

kWh

+15% vs yesterday

6 AM12 PM6 PM

Control Your Production At All Times

Manage everything form the same place. See graphics, KWh usage and production in a blink!

Automatic buyer matching

PV Plant

Battery Storage System

Local Renewable Assets

Network

Buildings

Houses

Shops

Current Electricity Model

PV Plant

Producer gets:

0.06 CHF / kWh

Grid Provider

Grid sells energy at:

0.16 CHF

Consumer

Grid fee added:

+0.08 CHF

Final Consumer Price: 0.24 CHF / kWh

Local Energy Community (LEG) Model

PV Plant

Producer gets:

0.10 CHF / kWh

Network

Energy Prices:

0.12 CHF

Consumer

Reduced grid fee:

+0.064 CHF

Final Consumer Price: 0.184 CHF / kWh

Real-time energy usage tracking

Contracts & billing access

Monthly energy cost overview

Historical usage & savings

Savings vs standard electricity price

Community energy overview

Local solar allocation view

Your local solar share

Other Things You Can Do With UPGRID

Buy Clean Energy, Produce Your Own, Or Turn Your Roof Into Passive Income. No Middlemen, No Complex Processes - Just Local, Fair, And Sustainable Energy.

Sell Your Solar Energy Locally With Upgrid

Already Producing Solar Energy? Sell Your Excess Electricity Within Your Local Community And Earn More Than Standard Feed-In Tariffs.

Sell Your Energy

Create Or Join A ZEV / VZEV

Set Up Or Participate In A Legally Compliant Local Energy Community. Ideal For Apartment Buildings, SMEs, And Shared Infrastructures.

Enquire About ZEV Or VZEV

Energy Communities For Municipalities

Enable Local Energy Sharing Across Neighborhoods And Public Buildings.

More Info

Find Your Local Energy Community

Discover If Your Building, Area, Or Municipality Already Has An Upgrid-Powered Energy Community

Find Your Community

Swiss-based expertise

GDPR-compliant signup

Used by real municipalities

Be Part Of Switzerland's Local Energy Future

Swiss SMEs and communities are gearing up for 2026 – join them with Upgrid.

Join Now

Takes less than 1 minute

This PDF Guide will tell you everything you need to know.

FAQ

No provider change

Enabled by Swiss Energy Law (LEG)

No new hardware required

Use Clean Local Solar Energy Without Installing Solar Panels

Save money on electricity and support local solar producers – with zero hassle. Enjoy green energy at lower rates without changing your current power provider or installing any equipment

UpGrid Lets Households And Businesses Use Nearby Solar Power, Cutting Bills While Helping Your Community Become More Energy Independent

Use verified local solar power and reduce your CO₂ footprint without installing panels.

Save on Electricity Costs

UpGrid guarantees a lower rate than your current provider's tariff for the solar power you use – meaning immediate savings without changing your habits.

Earn Credits by Referring Friends

You'll save even more on your electricity costs while spreading clean energy in your community

100%

Local EnergyRenewable Energy

Use verified local solar power and reduce your CO₂ footprint without installing panels.

Transparent Billing

Track usage and savings clearly with no hidden fees.

No Installation, No Hardware

Join in minutes with no setup, no meter changes, no hassle.

Be Part of the Future of Energy in Switzerland

Join a local energy community that gives you more control, greater resilience, and a direct role in the clean energy transition.

1. Contact

2. Location

3. Review

The Problem: You can't enjoy solar energy without paying for the installation.

Most electricity in Switzerland comes from large providers at fixed prices — even when cheaper local solar energy exists around you.

You can't benefit from solar without installing panels

Installing panels is expensive

Renters are excluded

You miss out on green energy

Your electricity price is set by the system

You pay standard retail prices

No access to solar

No control over where it comes from

The Solution: Local cheaper solar energy without panels or provider change