# Self-consumption

Also known as: Eigenverbrauch, Self-consumption, Self-consumption ratio, Eigenverbrauchsquote

Eigenverbrauch is the Swiss term for self-consumption: the share of solar electricity a business uses directly on site instead of feeding it into the grid. It is the central value driver of a PV system, because self-consumed electricity replaces grid purchases at 20 to 35 Rp./kWh while feed-in earns only 5 to 12 Rp./kWh. Unoptimised systems reach 30 to 40 percent; with battery storage and a ZEV, 70 to 90 percent is achievable.

Canonical page: https://www.ampere-dynamic.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/eigenverbrauch/

## What does the law say about self-consumption?

Art. 16 of the Energy Act gives operators of a production plant the right to consume all or part of the electricity generated at the place of production themselves; Art. 17 and 18 allow several parties to join together ([EnG, SR 730.0, Fedlex](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2017/762/de)). Self-consumed electricity does not flow through the public grid and therefore carries neither grid usage fee nor grid surcharge and levies. This is exactly where the economic value comes from: the site saves the full purchase tariff, not just the energy component.

The difference is considerable. Commercial customers in ElCom category C4 pay a median total tariff of 23.66 Rp./kWh in 2026, of which 11.28 Rp. is for energy ([ElCom electricity price overview](https://www.strompreis.elcom.admin.ch/)). For the surplus, by contrast, large systems receive only the [reference market price](https://www.ampere-dynamic.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/referenzmarktpreis/), and from 2027 the hourly spot price.

## How high is self-consumption typically?

The ratio depends on the [load profile](https://www.ampere-dynamic.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/lastgang/). Office buildings with consumption in the evening and at weekends reach 20 to 40 percent, manufacturing businesses with a day shift 60 to 70 percent, three-shift operations more: the BACHMANN GROUP, with 2'809 kWp and round-the-clock packaging production, consumes 96 percent of its solar electricity itself (Ampere Dynamic project data). With storage and a ZEV, 70 to 90 percent is achievable (analysis of realised Ampere Dynamic projects).

## How do you raise self-consumption?

Four levers raise the ratio: battery storage shifts solar electricity into the evening and night hours, load shifting moves flexible consumers such as refrigeration plants, charging stations and heat pumps into the midday peak, an [energy management system](https://www.ampere-dynamic.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/energiemanagementsystem/) coordinates both automatically, and a [ZEV](https://www.ampere-dynamic.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/zev/) extends the circle of consumers beyond your own operation. The order is not arbitrary: load shifting costs almost nothing, the battery the most; it pays off when it also provides [peak shaving](https://www.ampere-dynamic.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/peak-shaving/).

How the four levers work together: [Self-consumption from 30 to 90 percent](https://www.ampere-dynamic.ch/en/knowledge/optimise-self-consumption/). For manufacturing businesses in particular: [Photovoltaics for industry](https://www.ampere-dynamic.ch/en/knowledge/photovoltaics-manufacturing-businesses/).

## Related terms

- [ZEV](https://www.ampere-dynamic.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/zev/)
- [Peak Shaving](https://www.ampere-dynamic.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/peak-shaving/)
- [Energy management system](https://www.ampere-dynamic.ch/en/knowledge/glossary/energiemanagementsystem/)