ZEV and vZEV in the Canton of Appenzell AusserrhodenShare solar power at home.

ZEV, vZEV and LEG in brief

In a ZEV (self-consumption community), several parties behind one shared grid connection share the solar power from their own roof. In a vZEV (virtual ZEV), every flat keeps its own connection, and the grid operator allocates the power through its metering. The LEG (local electricity community) has been possible since 1 January 2026 and allows solar power to be exchanged within a grid area. The basis is the federal Energy Act (Art. 17 and 18). Tenants take part voluntarily.

What applies in Appenzell Ausserrhoden

We have not found any cantonal rule on ZEV or vZEV. The canton checks the energy rules for new buildings through the energy certificate in the building application, based on the cantonal energy act. Whether a minimum share of your own power generation is required is something we clarify with the commune for your project, and we do not give a blanket assurance. In new apartment buildings, a ZEV combines well with the solar system.

Grid operator and metering

In the canton, St. Gallisch-Appenzellische Kraftwerke (SAK) supply most communes. They describe their rules on the web page «Strom selber produzieren und verbrauchen» (producing and using your own electricity). For such communities, these points apply there:

• Registration is made at least three months before the start, through an online form.
• For a vZEV, SAK installs the participants’ meters.
• A classic ZEV can work with its own meters behind a shared connection.
• You work out the internal cost split yourself from the quarter-hourly values. SAK does not help with this.
• The LEG requires a smart meter.

There are also small utilities in Ausserrhoden, for example in Heiden, Walzenhausen and Schönengrund. For these we ask for the rules individually. We plan the solar system and metering from a single source and coordinate everything with your utility.