Short answer
What you need to know first.
In Schaffhausen, self-consumption is the economic lever of a PV system: solar power used on site replaces grid electricity, while surplus energy is fed in and compensated. For multi-party buildings, sites or neighbourhoods, ZEV, vZEV or LEG may be relevant depending on the situation. The suitable model is not chosen generically; it depends on grid connection point, metering, participant structure, load profile, contractual duties and current implementation by the local grid operator.
Important
This page provides general orientation for PV projects in Canton Schaffhausen. vZEV and LEG models, metering concepts, grid tariffs, feed-in compensation, participant agreements and incentive conditions can change and depend on the specific grid area and property. It does not replace legal, tax, tenancy-law, incentive or grid-connection advice, nor a property-specific review by the grid operator, planner or authorities.
Decision points
What determines the right path.
The simplest case is self-consumption in the same building: the PV system supplies existing loads directly and only surpluses go to the grid. EnergySchweiz describes self-consumption as using self-generated solar power without routing it through the grid; this is why daytime demand, heat pump, boiler, commercial loads and charging stations matter more than pure kWp maximisation.
A ZEV is mainly suitable when several parties use solar power together at the place of production. EnergySchweiz notes that a ZEV acts as one large customer towards the energy supplier and must organise internal metering. For landlords, condominium owners and commercial sites, this is a billing and responsibility topic, not just a technical module.
SH POWER communicates dedicated offers for self-consumption, vZEV and LEG in Schaffhausen. A virtual ZEV can enable shared use across several properties by calculation where the requirements are met. The local electricity community is a newer model for larger local associations. Both models must be checked against the current grid and metering process.
Battery storage and wallbox improve a project only if they fit the load profile. EnergySchweiz emphasises that self-consumption is economically relevant; a battery can cover night demand, but it does not fix poor roof planning, unclear billing or missing grid approval. Before investing, the load profile, load priorities and storage strategy must be defined.
Cantonal requirements and federal incentives are separate layers. The Schaffhausen energy ordinance contains requirements for self-generation and comprehensive roof renovations; Pronovo is responsible for photovoltaic one-time incentives. This does not create an automatic profitability guarantee, but requires clean alignment of obligation, incentive, use and grid connection.
Sequence
How the project stays cleanly managed.
- 1
Survey the building and loads: record roof area, existing electrical distribution, main connection, meter structure, daytime demand, heat pump, boiler, commercial load, planned wallboxes and tenants. Without this basis, self-consumption remains an estimate.
- 2
Choose the usage model before quoting: single-family home, apartment building, condominium, site or neighbourhood lead to different options. Only then can simple self-consumption, ZEV, vZEV or LEG be assessed as technically and organisationally viable.
- 3
Clarify SH POWER and grid process: connection, metering concept, smart metering, forms, feed-in, guarantees of origin and billing must fit before installation. For municipalities outside the SH POWER area, the responsible grid operator must be checked separately.
- 4
Calculate the technical variant: compare PV layout, inverter, battery storage, wallbox control, heat pump logic and energy management using real consumption data. The economic variant is often not the largest system, but the best combination of roof, demand and metering model.
- 5
Document incentives and obligations separately: Pronovo application, possible cantonal requirements for new buildings or comprehensive roof renovations, grid-operator documents and participant agreements belong in one project file. This keeps quote, permit path, grid connection and operation traceable.
Checklist
Questions to settle before the quote.
- Separate self-consumption, vZEV and LEG by building, neighbourhood and grid connection point
- Clarify metering concept, smart meters, billing and SH POWER process before quoting
- Plan battery, wallbox and heat pump only where the load profile genuinely increases self-consumption
- Check Pronovo incentives, cantonal solar obligation and feed-in as separate layers
FAQ