ZEV and vZEV in the Canton of St. GallenOwn power in new builds

ZEV, vZEV and LEG in brief

A ZEV (self-consumption community) is a group of consumers who share the solar power from their own system behind one grid connection. A vZEV (virtual ZEV) achieves the same with separate connections, and the grid operator handles the allocation. The LEG (local electricity community) has been possible since 1 January 2026 and includes neighbours through the public grid.

What applies in the Canton of St. Gallen

Under Art. 5b of the St. Gallen Energy Act, new buildings generate part of the power they need themselves. Alternatively, they reduce the weighted energy demand by 5 kWh per m² of heated area and year. The Energy Ordinance sets own power generation at at least 10 W per m² of energy reference area, with no more than 30 kW required per building. Anyone who does without pays a replacement levy of up to CHF 3,000 per kWp.

For developments, Art. 4c of the ordinance is important. The own power generation of several buildings can be proven with an agreement on a long-term ZEV, if the buildings belong to the same special-use plan and are approved in the same procedure. Extensions of less than 50 m² of additional energy reference area are exempt.

Grid operator and metering

SAK supplies 15 communes in the Canton of St. Gallen. According to its website, the following applies to all models: participants are in the same SAK grid, and a production system is required. The setting-up must be notified three months in advance. For the vZEV, SAK takes over the metering. For the LEG it requires smart meters. In the other communes, the local utility decides on meters and billing.

We plan the solar system, the metering concept and the contracts with your grid operator together. For new buildings, we align the proof of own power generation with the building application. If your building also gets a heat pump, the share of solar power that the building uses itself goes up.