Since 1 January 2026, grid operators may, according to Art. 17c StromVG, regulate up to 3 percent of the annual energy production of a solar system in a grid-serving manner – without consent and without compensation. The ElCom newsletter 12/2025 specifies: The retrofitting costs to technically prepare a system for regulability up to 70 percent may not be charged to the producers. (As of: September 2026)
Key points in brief
- Art. 17b StromVG defines "intelligent control and regulation systems" and fundamentally requires consent for their use.
- Art. 17c StromVG (since 1.1.2026) allows grid-serving regulation of up to 3 % of annual energy production without consent and without compensation.
- ElCom newsletter 12/2025: Retrofitting costs for regulability up to 70 % may not be charged to the producer – flat rate CHF 50–150 per system.
- Remuneration for flexibility usage beyond this is made per kW to avoid false incentives; contract durations 5–10 years recommended.
What does Article 17b StromVG regulate?
Article 17b of the Electricity Supply Act defines the legal framework for "intelligent control and regulation systems" – technical facilities with which a grid operator can act on systems remotely. Central is paragraph 3: The use fundamentally requires the consent of the affected system owner.
What is new about Article 17c StromVG – and what does the "3 percent rule" mean?
Article 17c came into force on 1 January 2026. It grants grid operators a guaranteed use of flexibility: They may regulate up to 3 % of the annually generated energy in a grid-serving manner – without consent and without compensation. Every use beyond this must be contractually regulated with remuneration; contract durations of 5 to 10 years with remuneration per kilowatt instead of per kilowatt-hour are recommended.
Who pays for the retrofitting so that a system becomes regulable at all?
The ElCom newsletter 12/2025 clarifies that the necessary retrofitting costs for regulability up to 70 % of their capacity may not be charged to the producers – a flat rate of CHF 50 to 150 per system is mentioned as appropriate, which only incurs once even with multiple inverters.
In consultations, the question about "regulation by the utility" mostly pops up with larger commercial systems. Should a grid operator demand a technical retrofitting, the costs for this clearly belong to the grid operator – that is worth actively addressing in the conversation.
Frequently asked questions
May my grid operator simply switch off my solar system?
They may regulate up to 3 % of your annual production in a grid-serving manner without consent and without compensation. For control beyond this, a remunerated contract is needed.
Do I have to pay myself for a technical retrofitting for regulability?
No. The ElCom newsletter 12/2025 clarifies that the retrofitting costs fall to the grid operator.
What happens to already installed control systems?
For the use of an intelligent control and regulation system, the consent of the system owner is fundamentally necessary.
Does that also affect small single-family home systems?
Fundamentally yes, the legal definition does not differentiate by system size.
Questions about the grid control of your system?
We explain what the new flexibility regulation means for your specific project – and who bears which costs.
Sources: Fedlex (StromVG Art. 17b/17c), ElCom newsletter 12/2025.
Last updated: 18 September 2026 · Contact for questions on methodology: ecoEn editorial team
