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Electricity & gas · Switzerland
Checked 2026-09-30

🏘️ Can I share solar power with neighbours or join an energy community in Switzerland?

The short answer

Energy sharing lets households use power produced by a shared installation, a neighbour or a community project. Whether and how it works depends on the national rules.

📜 The rules in Switzerland

Energy sharing and communities

Three models exist: the self-consumption group ZEV (since 2018, without using the public grid), the virtual ZEV (since 2025, using the connection lines up to the common grid connection point) and, since 1 January 2026, local electricity communities (LEG) that share power over the public grid.

  • The rules on local electricity communities came into force on 1 January 2026. (admin.ch)
  • An LEG needs production capacity of at least 5% of the connection capacity of all participants. Everyone must be in the same grid area and not connected above 36 kV. Formation and dissolution must be reported to the grid operator three months ahead, to the end of a month. (fedlex.admin.ch)
  • Electricity shared within an LEG gets a discount on the grid usage tariff only, not on the metering tariff. (elcom.admin.ch)
  • Tenants in a ZEV may only be charged the actual costs, and per kWh of solar power no more than they would pay their electricity supplier. A flat rate of 80% of the external standard product price is allowed instead. (energieschweiz.ch)
Official source: energieschweiz.ch · Checked 2026-09-30

🪜 Step by step

  1. See what the rules allowThe options in Switzerland are listed below: sharing in one building, within a local area, or through an energy community.
  2. Find a project or partnersAsk your municipality, housing association or building owners whether a project exists or is planned.
  3. Check the meter and the contractSharing usually needs a smart meter and registration with the grid operator. Your normal supply contract continues for the rest of your use.
  4. Read the terms before you joinCheck the cost, how shared power is divided, and how you can leave.

📇 Who to contact

Eidgenössische Elektrizitätskommission ElComSupervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules📞 +41 58 462 58 33🔗 www.elcom.admin.ch

❓ Questions

Do I have to own solar panels?

No. In many schemes you can take part as a member or user without owning an installation.

Does my supplier stay the same?

Usually yes. The shared power is counted first and your supplier provides the rest.

Who registers the sharing?

Normally the grid operator or the body named on this page. Ask them before you start.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-09-30

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Also useful

☀️Solar panels→🔗New or bigger connection→🔄Switching supplier→📈Price increase→🧾Wrong or high bill→

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