Short answer
What you need to know first.
In the EBL grid area, a vZEV enables shared PV self-consumption through existing smart meters when consumption points are at the same low-voltage grid connection point and PV capacity reaches at least 10% of connection capacity. Owner consent, the agreement, metering and internal billing must be clarified before registration. A conventional ZEV is appropriate when participants are combined behind one shared grid connection.
Important
As of 15 July 2026, the 10% threshold and the smart-meter and agreement requirements stated here come from EBL and apply only in its grid area. A positive EBL feasibility decision is required before implementation; with Primeo or another grid operator, the current local requirements must be checked.
Decision points
What determines the right path.
The grid connection point decides whether a vZEV is possible: EBL requires participants to share the same low-voltage grid connection point. Buildings merely located close to one another but connected at different points do not meet this condition.
PV capacity is a hard entry threshold: for both ZEV and vZEV, EBL specifies at least 10% of the community’s connection capacity. Planned generator capacity must therefore be matched with the connection data before choosing the model.
A conventional ZEV and a vZEV lead to different metering concepts: for a ZEV, EBL describes a shared grid connection with a main meter; for a vZEV, EBL smart meters remain in use for metering data.
Contractual readiness must be clarified before technology: EBL requires consent from all property owners and a vZEV agreement. For an existing tenancy, EBL also specifies consent from all parties for a conventional ZEV.
Billing remains a separate task: EBL provides metering data for a vZEV but does not perform internal billing. Without a designated administrator or billing solution, the model remains incomplete even when technically feasible.
The grid operator depends on the location: EBL operates its matching platform, registration and feasibility decision in its own grid area. For a property in the Primeo grid area, Primeo’s connection information and metering and operating concept are decisive.
Sequence
How the project stays cleanly managed.
- 1
Record the connection pointcheck with the grid operator whether all intended consumption points are at the same low-voltage grid connection point. This EBL condition decides whether a vZEV can be assessed at all.
- 2
Calculate PV capacitycompare planned PV capacity with the community’s connection capacity. In the EBL grid area, PV must reach at least 10% of that connection capacity.
- 3
Choose the modelselect a conventional ZEV with a shared grid connection or a vZEV using existing smart meters. At the same time, document the meters, consumers and owners involved.
- 4
Set contracts and billingobtain the required owner consent, prepare the vZEV agreement and designate the party responsible for internal billing. EBL supplies metering data but does not perform internal billing.
- 5
Register with EBLin the EBL grid area, use the matching platform and submit the vZEV registration with the required details. Only a positive feasibility decision confirms that the concept can be implemented on the grid side.
- 6
Coordinate the PV project and metering operationafter the grid decision, align PV installation, smart-meter data, contract start and billing in time. In the Primeo grid area, this step follows Primeo’s process, not EBL’s.
Checklist
Questions to settle before the quote.
- Differentiate a ZEV and vZEV by grid connection, meters and building structure
- Compare 10% of connection capacity with planned PV capacity
- Set owner consent, the vZEV agreement and internal billing before registration
- Check the local connection and metering process separately with Primeo rather than EBL
FAQ
Common questions on this topic.
Sources
Official sources & references.
The responsible authorities are decisive. Always verify binding details – amounts, deadlines and conditions – for your specific property against the current status of the respective authority.