ZEV and vZEV in the Canton of SolothurnPlan without a solar duty.

ZEV, vZEV and LEG in brief

A ZEV (self-consumption community) joins several parties behind one grid connection. They share the solar power from their own roof and bill internally. In a vZEV (virtual ZEV), the connections stay separate, and the grid operator allocates the solar power through its metering. The LEG (local electricity community) has existed since 1 January 2026. It allows solar power to be exchanged over the public grid. At federal level, EnG Art. 17 and 18 and EnV Art. 14 to 18 apply. The page on ZEV, vZEV and LEG gives an overview.

What applies in the Canton of Solothurn

On 9 February 2025, Solothurn voters rejected the revised energy act. Among other things, it would have required new buildings to generate part of their power themselves. This duty therefore does not apply. In the Canton of Solothurn, a ZEV is therefore an economic decision. It is worthwhile when the system supplies enough power for several parties and the internal tariff is attractive. We work this out for your building.

Grid operator and metering

Several utilities supply power in the Canton of Solothurn, including BKW, Primeo Netz, AVAG and Regio Energie Solothurn. Regio Energie describes all three models on its website. For a ZEV, private meters measure behind the connection, and the utility does not handle billing. For a vZEV, several consumers in different buildings share the solar power over the distribution grid, metering is done through the utility’s smart meters, and a shared grid connection point is required. For the LEG, the utility states grid fees reduced by 20 to 40% on the LEG power.

Other utilities have other requirements. We clarify the metering concept and meter location with your utility before the quote, build the system with our own installers and register it.