kWise
The virtual self-consumption community – explained simply
Since 1 January 2025, neighbours – or the apartments in a single building – can share their solar power without laying a single cable. Learn how a vZEV works, which requirements apply and how to get started in five steps.
What is a vZEV?
A virtual self-consumption community (vZEV, from the German «virtueller Zusammenschluss zum Eigenverbrauch») allows several parties – neighbouring properties, a condominium owners' association or a cooperative – to use the power of a shared photovoltaic system without laying any private cables.
Distribution is purely mathematical: the grid operator's smart meters measure production and consumption of all participants in 15-minute intervals. On this basis the solar power is allocated to the participants and billed internally.
The legal basis is Articles 16a–16g of the Swiss Energy Ordinance (EnV), in force since 1 January 2025.
It also works within a single building
A vZEV doesn't need a neighbourhood – it works just as well inside a single apartment building: the photovoltaic system sits on the roof, the shared grid connection point in the basement, and every apartment keeps its own smart meter.
That makes it particularly attractive for condominium owners' associations: no private metering infrastructure has to be installed, the grid operator keeps metering every apartment individually – and kWise handles distribution, billing and, if desired, cost allocation by ownership shares.
The difference to the classic ZEV
The self-consumption community (ZEV) has existed since 2018 – the vZEV makes it possible without any construction work.
| ZEV (classic) | vZEV (virtual) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cabling | Private connection cables between the buildings required | No new cables – distribution is purely mathematical |
| Metering | Internal metering by the ZEV itself (private meters) | Grid operator's smart meters, 15-minute resolution |
| Implementation | Electrical installation and metering conversion | One-time registration with the grid operator, 3 months' notice |
| Suitable for | Buildings that can be cabled economically | Neighbourhoods and apartment buildings at the same grid connection point |
| Legal basis | EnG Art. 17/18, since 2018 | EnV Art. 16a–16g, since 1 January 2025 |
These conditions a vZEV must meet
The Energy Ordinance ties the vZEV to a few clearly defined conditions. Whether your properties meet them is a matter of the grid connection – or a quick enquiry with your grid operator.
- Single grid connection point at low voltage (< 1 kV, no junction-sleeve network)
- PV production of at least 10 % of the participants' total connected load
- 15-minute metering of all participants by smart meters
- One-time registration with the grid operator, 3 months in advance
- Compliant, audit-proof billing towards the participants
How to found your vZEV
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Check feasibility
Are all properties connected to the same grid connection point? Does the PV system reach the 10% threshold? The LEGHUB vZEV check or your grid operator will tell you.
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Agree with the participants
Put distribution, electricity price and responsibilities in writing – for condominiums by resolution of the association.
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Register with the grid operator
The founding is reported once; plan around 3 months of lead time until the start.
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Clarify metering and data delivery
The grid operator ensures smart meter measurement and delivers the load profile data – ideally straight to kWise by email.
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Set up billing
Install kWise or let us operate it, record participants and tariffs – from now on billing runs structured and traceable.
Frequently asked questions about the vZEV
What is the difference between a ZEV and a vZEV?
In a classic ZEV the participating buildings are physically connected by private cabling and act as a single customer towards the grid operator. In a vZEV no private cabling is needed: the solar power is distributed purely mathematically based on the 15-minute smart meter data at the shared grid connection point.
Who can found a vZEV?
Owners of neighbouring properties, condominium owners' associations, generation cooperatives and landlords with their tenants – provided all are connected to the same grid connection point and the PV system provides at least 10 % of the total connected load.
Are grid usage fees charged for internally distributed solar power?
No. Because all participants are connected to the same grid connection point, internally distributed solar power does not use the public distribution grid. Grid usage fees and levies only apply to the residual power participants still buy from the utility. Your grid operator's practice is authoritative.
Is a vZEV financially worthwhile?
Usually yes: self-consumed solar power replaces expensive grid supply, while surplus would only earn the usually much lower feed-in remuneration. The more participants cover their consumption with the PV production, the higher the self-consumption share – and the better the economics of the installation.
Do all participants need a smart meter?
Yes, a vZEV requires 15-minute metering of all participants. The smart meter rollout is well advanced in Switzerland; missing devices are installed by the grid operator in the course of the vZEV registration.
How does billing work in a vZEV?
The grid operator delivers the 15-minute metering data of all participants. kWise imports this data, distributes the PV production mathematically, creates invoices with Swiss QR payment parts and keeps the audit-proof accounts of the shared installation – including operating cost statements and the annual closing.
What is the difference between a vZEV and an LEG?
A vZEV only works at the same grid connection point; in return, no grid usage fees apply to internally distributed power. An LEG (local electricity community, possible since 1 January 2026) allows sharing power across the public distribution grid within a neighbourhood, with a reduced grid usage fee. For neighbouring properties the vZEV is usually the simplest solution.
Is kWise suitable for condominium owners' associations and cooperatives?
Yes. The integrated accounting is also suitable for generation cooperatives and condominium owners' associations: costs can be allocated by ownership shares or in equal parts, co-owners get read-only access to the journal, reports and budget, and the annual closing is documented audit-proof.
How much does kWise cost?
The software itself is fully open source (MIT licence) and free – you can run it on your own infrastructure. On request we offer commercial support, hosting and consulting – send us an email.