All three models distribute solar power to multiple parties – the difference lies in the range: The ZEV shares power within a building or site behind a common grid connection, the vZEV does the same virtually via the grid operator's meters, and the LEG (new since 2026) sells power via the public grid to the neighbourhood. Rule of thumb: one house → ZEV/vZEV, one neighbourhood → LEG.
Note for research and media: This page is based on Art. 17 EnG, Art. 14 Para. 3 EnV as well as Art. 17d StromVG (source reference at the bottom of the page). Queries on methodology to the ecoEn specialist editorial team.
Key points in brief
- ZEV: physical amalgamation behind a connection point – established, proven, but connected with its own measuring infrastructure.
- vZEV: same idea without conversion – the grid operator bills virtually via its smart meters.
- LEG: since 1 January 2026, producers are allowed to sell surplus power via the public grid to neighbours – at a reduced grid usage fee.
- The models are not mutually exclusive: An apartment building can run internally as a ZEV and additionally feed the surplus into a LEG.
- The wrong model choice costs real money – the right one almost always depends on building type and meter situation, not on preferences.
The three models in one table
| Criterion | ZEV | vZEV | LEG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Range | Building/site behind one grid connection | Multiple parties at the same connection point, virtual | Neighbourhood/quarter, across property boundaries |
| Uses public grid? | no | no | yes, at reduced grid usage fee |
| Metering | own private measurement (submetering) | grid operator's smart meter | Smart meters of all participants |
| Billing | ZEV operator (or service provider) bills internally | Grid operator bills | Platform/grid operator or own organisation |
| Structural effort | Measurement concept, possibly meter conversion | minimal | minimal (contracts instead of conversion) |
| Legal situation | established (since 2018) | since 2025 (Mantelerlass) | new since 1.1.2026 |
| Special prerequisite | significant production capacity at the place of production | common connection point/connection line (place of production) | Production ≥ 5 % of the connected load of all participants; max. municipal area |
| Typical case | Apartment building with own PV | Apartment building/condominium ownership (STWEG) without desire for measurement conversion | large roofs with lots of surplus; tenants without roof |
Simplified overview, as of: July 2026. The law, ordinance and the conditions of the local grid operator are decisive – the details are constantly evolving for vZEV and LEG.
ZEV: The classic for your own building
The self-consumption community (ZEV) has for years been the standard model for distributing solar power in an apartment building to the tenants: Everyone hangs behind the same grid connection, the solar power flows first to the residents, only the rest goes to the grid. Towards the utility, the ZEV acts as a single customer – this often also lowers the electricity purchase tariff.
The price for this is organisation: The ZEV needs a measurement concept, internal billing (done in-house or purchased as a service) and clear rules towards the tenants. How foundation and billing work is shown in Founding a ZEV and ZEV in an apartment building.
Strength: proven, full control, economically attractive with good self-consumption. Weakness: setup and administration – noticeably so, especially for small properties.
vZEV: The same goal, without meter conversion
The virtual ZEV removes the biggest hurdle from the classic: Instead of its own measurement infrastructure, it uses the smart meters of the grid operator, who calculates and bills the solar power distribution virtually. No conversion, no own submetering – but dependent on the offer and conditions of the local utility.
Important to know: Since the Mantelerlass, grid operators are obliged to allow virtual ZEVs – this is not a voluntary goodwill offer from the utility. The prerequisite remains the "place of production": The participants must be connected via the same connection point or the same connection line (below 1 kV, the local infrastructure at the grid connection point also counts towards this). And a charming cost detail: The grid operator may only charge one basic grid usage price for the entire vZEV – not one per apartment. The details: vZEV explained.
Strength: faster, cheaper entry into sharing power – with a legal claim. Weakness: The practice is young; whether your connection situation fulfils the "place of production" requirement must be confirmed by the grid operator on a case-by-case basis.
LEG: Sharing power across the property boundary
The local electricity community (LEG) is the system break of 2026: For the first time, solar power may be sold to neighbours via the public distribution grid – made possible by a reduced grid usage fee, because the power only uses the lowest grid level. In the City of Zurich, this runs via ewz.solarquartier with 14 Rp./kWh for producers; other utilities are currently building their offers.
The LEG does not replace the ZEV – it begins where it ends: at the property boundary. The legal guard rails are clearly defined: All participants in the same grid area and on the same grid level, maximally within a municipality, all equipped with smart meters, and the generation capacity of the community must be at least 5 percent of the connected load of all participating consumers. For batteries, an arbitrage ban applies: They may not sell more power to the LEG than they have drawn from it – charging cheap grid power and selling it dearly into the neighbourhood is excluded. In detail with numbers and providers: LEG explained.
Strength: makes large surpluses more valuable and gives tenants without a roof access to local solar power. Weakness: very young legal situation, offer still thin depending on the region, revenue advantage for the typical single-family home manageable.
Which model fits which situation?
Single-family home with own system: none of the three – your model is simply called self-consumption. The LEG only becomes interesting when your roof produces significantly more than you need (when this is worthwhile).
Apartment building with own PV: First choice ZEV or vZEV – the question is only whether physical or virtual. Existing property without desire for measurement conversion → check vZEV. New building or already upcoming electrical renovation → classic ZEV with a clean measurement concept. The surplus can additionally flow into a LEG in both cases.
Condominium ownership (STWEG): like apartment building, plus governance: resolutions, cost dividers, responsibilities. The vZEV noticeably lowers the entry hurdle here, because no structural intervention has to be decided (Legal aspects in condominium ownership).
Business/large roofs: Self-consumption first, then LEG for the rest – the marketing difference adds up with large surpluses. And whoever has a half-empty roof "because full feed-in is not worthwhile" should recalculate this in 2026.
Neighbourhood with unequal roofs: the born LEG case – one produces, multiple draw.
The decision questions in the right order
1. Does the power stay behind a connection point? Yes → ZEV/vZEV. No, it should go beyond the property → LEG. 2. Is measurement conversion acceptable or planned anyway? Yes → ZEV. No → ask utility about vZEV. 3. How large is the surplus really? Small → keep effort low. Large → include LEG marketing in the profitability calculation. 4. What does your grid operator offer concretely? The most honest answer: That changes currently from quarter to quarter – exactly why this clarification is part of every quote for apartment building and commercial projects with us.
The most common misunderstanding in consultations since January: "LEG is the new ZEV." It is not – the two solve different problems, and the best solution is often the combination: internal ZEV, surplus into the LEG. The second most common misunderstanding: treating the choice of model as a technical question. In truth, it is decided on unspectacular things – meter situation, ability of the ownership to make resolutions, offer of the local utility. Whoever clarifies these three points first has almost always already answered the model question.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ZEV and vZEV?
The goal is identical – distributing solar power in the building. The ZEV measures with its own private measurement infrastructure, the vZEV lets the grid operator bill virtually via its smart meters. vZEV = less effort, but dependent on the utility's offer.
Can I combine ZEV and LEG?
Yes – this is often even the best constellation: The ZEV maximises self-consumption in the house, the LEG markets the remaining surplus into the neighbourhood.
Do all participants need smart meters?
For vZEV and LEG yes – virtual billing requires intelligent measurement systems. The rollout is far advanced in most grid areas of the region; your utility knows the status.
Is a LEG worthwhile for my single-family home?
With a typical system size, rarely as a reason for decision – the additional revenue compared to feed-in is steady, but manageable. The investment is carried by self-consumption; the LEG is the extra income.
Who helps with the choice of model?
At ecoEn, the clarification of ZEV/vZEV/LEG including enquiry with the local grid operator is part of the standard scope of every apartment building, STWEG and commercial quote – you get the models with numbers side by side, not as theory.
Free initial consultation
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ZEV, vZEV or LEG – with the conditions of your grid operator and your consumption data. Free of charge and without obligation.
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Sources: Electricity Act/EnG and ordinances (as of 2026), ewz (solarquartier), Swissolar (ZEV/self-consumption), publications of the regional grid operators.
Last updated: 9 July 2026 · Author: ecoEn editorial team
