Glossary
vZEV
Also known as: Virtueller Zusammenschluss zum Eigenverbrauch, Virtual self-consumption community
The vZEV (virtueller Zusammenschluss zum Eigenverbrauch, virtual self-consumption community) has extended the ZEV model beyond the single grid connection point since 1 January 2025. It covers several plots and grid connections that are linked through the service line or the local infrastructure at the connection point below 1 kV, without using the distribution grid. Solar electricity is allocated computationally through the grid operator's smart meters. The private metering infrastructure of a classic ZEV is not needed.
The decisive difference from the classic ZEV: in a vZEV, participants keep their existing grid connections and the grid operator’s meters. Towards the grid operator the community forms one virtual metering point. The solar electricity is allocated computationally via the smart meter readings, not through shared private metering infrastructure.
Article 14 of the Energy Ordinance draws the line: the electricity must be consumable on the other plots “without using the distribution grid”. What is allowed is the shared service line and the local electrical infrastructure at the grid connection point below 1 kV, in practice every property behind the same distribution cabinet. Anyone who wants to share electricity across the public distribution grid needs a LEG.
For industrial and commercial businesses with several buildings on the same connection, this opens new room for manoeuvre: a large rooftop system on the production hall can computationally also supply the office building on the neighbouring plot, provided both hang on the same service line, and thereby raise the self-consumption of the overall system.
The article Virtual ZEV: the new self-consumption community walks through formation steps, metering concept and economics.