# Upgrid -- extended guide excerpts > Extended excerpts for AI agents. See `/llms.txt` for the curated link index. Base URL: https://upgrid.ch ## ZEV vs. vZEV vs. LEG 2026: which model is right for you? URL: https://upgrid.ch/en/articles/zev-vs-leg-vs-vzev Published: 2026-03-20 | Updated: 2026-07-07 Author: Nick Bänninger Tags: zev vs vzev, zev vs leg, zev vzev leg difference, ZEV, LEG, vZEV, Zusammenschluss Eigenverbrauch, solar sharing Switzerland ZEV, vZEV or LEG? Switzerland’s three solar-sharing models compared — with a clear recommendation and an interactive decision tool (4 questions, 60 seconds). ### FAQ excerpt **Can I set up a ZEV as a renter?** Generally no. The ZEV is established by whoever owns or manages the electricity installation in the building. As a renter, you can participate in an existing ZEV if your building has one, but you cannot unilaterally create one. The LEG is different: you can join as a consumer without any action from your landlord. **What's the difference between ZEV and vZEV in practice?** Traditional ZEV required physical sub-meters in each participating unit. The vZEV achieves the same metering digitally using smart meter data and a virtual allocation algorithm. From a participant perspective the experience is similar; for building owners, vZEV is far simpler to implement. **My building doesn't have smart meters yet. Can I still do anything?** Yes. If you are a renter or consumer, join a LEG community — no smart meter required. If you are a building owner wanting a vZEV, contact your grid operator and request smart meter installation. Under Swiss law they are obligated to provide it. --- ## Swiss Electricity Prices 2026: Full Chart Since 2010 (kWh) URL: https://upgrid.ch/en/articles/swiss-electricity-prices-2026 Published: 2026-03-20 | Updated: 2026-05-21 Author: Hagen Lihl Tags: Swiss electricity prices, Strompreise Schweiz 2026, electricity price history Switzerland, LEG Energiegemeinschaft, solar feed-in tariff Switzerland, ElCom tariff Swiss electricity prices rose 73% since 2010 — and utilities keep the spread. Interactive chart with full yearly data 2010–2026 and canton comparison. ### FAQ excerpt **What is the price per kWh in Switzerland in 2026?** The median Swiss household tariff in 2026 is 27.7 Rp./kWh — a 4% drop from 2025 (29.0 Rp./kWh). The figure follows the H4 consumption profile (4,500 kWh/year) and includes energy, grid usage, surcharges and VAT. Actual prices vary widely between municipalities — from under 20 Rp./kWh to over 40 Rp./kWh depending on the local grid operator. **Why do electricity prices vary so much between Swiss municipalities?** Switzerland has around 590 independent distribution network operators, each setting tariffs based on their own infrastructure costs, procurement strategy and profit requirements. Because households cannot choose their provider, prices are essentially unregulated at the local level — ElCom can intervene but generally only does so for extreme cases. The result is prices ranging from under 10 Rp./kWh to over 50 Rp./kWh in the same country. **Will Swiss electricity prices continue falling in 2026 and beyond?** ElCom projects the 2026 national median at 27.7 Rp./kWh, down 4% from 2025. The main driver is the expiry of high-cost procurement contracts signed during the 2022 energy crisis. However, new costs are being added from 2026 — including solidarised grid enhancement fees and increased electricity reserve charges — which will slow any further decline. Most analysts expect prices to stabilise in the 26–29 Rp. range through 2028. --- ## LEG Switzerland 2026: Local Electricity Community Guide URL: https://upgrid.ch/en/articles/leg-schweiz-2026 Published: 2026-05-01 | Updated: 2026-06-11 Author: Hagen Lihl Tags: leg switzerland 2026, local electricity community, local energy community, join leg, leg savings calculator, solar sharing neighbours, grid fee discount What is a LEG (Local Electricity Community, also called Local Energy Community)? Who can join, how much can I save? Complete 2026 guide with savings calculator. ### FAQ excerpt **What is a local electricity community (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. **How does the LEG differ from ZEV and vZEV?** ZEV: one building, one connection, internal self-consumption. vZEV: multiple buildings of the same owner, no public grid trading. LEG: entire municipality, public grid, grid discount for consumers, different owners. The LEG goes furthest but is more complex administratively — Upgrid simplifies that. **Do I need a PV system as a consumer?** 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 around 15 Rp./kWh vs. 27.7 Rp./kWh). You only need a smart meter. --- ## Feed-in Tariff vs LEG Community Trading: The Revenue Comparison URL: https://upgrid.ch/en/articles/feed-in-vs-leg-switzerland-2026 Published: 2026-03-19 | Updated: 2026-03-19 Author: Hagen Lihl Tags: feed-in tariff, solar revenue, LEG 2026, Switzerland, solar producer Switzerland's 2026 feed-in rate pays solar producers ~7 Rp./kWh. Local LEG community trading pays 12–15 Rp. The difference over 20 years is tens of thousands of francs. ### FAQ excerpt **Do I need to cancel my feed-in contract to join Upgrid?** No. Your existing feed-in agreement with your grid operator remains in place for any surplus that is not allocated to the community. Upgrid works on top of your current setup — community-allocated electricity is first directed to local consumers, and the rest continues to flow to the grid at the standard feed-in rate. **What happens if the community doesn't consume all my surplus?** Community allocation happens in real time. When community demand is lower than your production, the unallocated surplus flows to the grid at the standard feed-in rate. Well-matched communities typically absorb 50–70% of total surplus; the rest earns feed-in revenue as before. **Is the LEG community rate guaranteed, or can it change?** Your community rate is set in a contract between you and Upgrid for the term of your agreement. It is not subject to quarterly SFOE fluctuations the way the feed-in tariff is. Community rates are reviewed periodically — Upgrid publishes current rates at upgrid.ch/en/leg-pricing. --- ## Solar Energy as a Renter in Switzerland: What You Can Actually Do in 2026 URL: https://upgrid.ch/en/articles/solar-renters-2026 Published: 2026-03-19 | Updated: 2026-03-19 Author: Nick Bänninger Tags: solar savings, tenant rights, electricity bill, ZEV, Switzerland, LEG law 2026 Renters make up 60% of the Swiss population. Until 2026, all of them were locked out of solar savings. The LEG law changes that. ### FAQ excerpt **Does my landlord need to approve my joining a LEG?** No. Under the revised StromVG, consumers have the right to participate in a local electricity community. This right is independent of the landlord consent. Your lease agreement cannot override Swiss federal energy law. **What happens if I move flats?** Your LEG membership is tied to your consumption point (address), not to you personally. When you move, you notify Upgrid of your new address. If the new address is within a covered network area, your membership transfers. There are no cancellation fees for moves. **Can I join if my electricity is included in my rent?** If electricity is billed as part of Nebenkosten and your landlord pays the utility directly, direct LEG participation may be complicated because the consumption point is the building rather than your flat. Upgrid can advise whether the building could join as a consumer — register and note this in the form. --- ## vZEV Switzerland 2026: virtual ZEV — costs, check & setup URL: https://upgrid.ch/en/articles/vzev-switzerland-2026 Published: 2026-05-01 | Updated: 2026-07-07 Author: Rafael Roman Tags: vzev, virtual zev, vzev check, vzev switzerland 2026, virtual joint self consumption, vzev cost, set up vzev, zev vs vzev What is a vZEV? Virtual ZEV explained: requirements, costs, billing — with eligibility check. And when a LEG is the better choice (2026 guide). ### FAQ excerpt **What is a vZEV in plain terms?** A vZEV (virtual joint self-consumption arrangement) connects two or more buildings that share solar power without needing to be physically connected. Power flows into the grid but is allocated virtually to partner buildings using smart meters and a billing platform. **What's the difference between ZEV and vZEV?** ZEV means one building behind one shared house connection — power flows internally without the grid. vZEV means 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. **What's the difference between vZEV and LEG?** vZEV is a closed network, usually the same owner or a tight written agreement, typically two to four buildings. LEG is an open marketplace for an entire municipality; individuals join without needing agreement with others. For neighbourhood projects with different owners, LEG is the right route. --- ## ZEV Switzerland 2026: Self-Consumption Group Explained URL: https://upgrid.ch/en/articles/zev-self-consumption-2026 Published: 2026-05-01 | Updated: 2026-05-21 Author: Rafael Roman Tags: zev switzerland 2026, self consumption group switzerland, zusammenschluss eigenverbrauch, zev apartment building, zev tenants What is a ZEV, what does it cost, how does billing work? The complete guide to the Zusammenschluss zum Eigenverbrauch (self-consumption group) in Switzerland 2026 — with interactive savings calculator and ZEV vs LEG decision tool. --- ## Your Swiss Electricity Bill 2026: Every Line Item Decoded URL: https://upgrid.ch/en/articles/bill-decoder-2026 Published: 2026-03-20 | Updated: 2026-06-03 Author: Hagen Lihl Tags: Stromrechnung, Messtarif, solidarisierte Kosten, Netzzuschlag, electricity bill explained, Switzerland 2026 What is the Messtarif? What are solidarisierte Kosten? Why did your bill change in 2026? Every line on your Swiss electricity bill explained — with a "is this fair?" verdict on each. ---