Local Energy Cooperatives Are Expanding In Switzerland

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) According to the solar energy industry association, the model for local electricity cooperatives, which was introduced in Switzerland at the start of the year, has been a success. After just six months, there are already around 1,800 such cooperatives across Switzerland, as shown by an initial estimate from Swissolar. Select your language

Generated with artificial intelligence. Listening: Local energy cooperatives are expanding in Switzerland This content was published on September 2, 2026 - 09:08 3 minutes Keystone-SDA

Deutsch de Hochrechnung: Mehr als 1800 lokale Stromgemeinschaften gegründet Original Read more: Hochrechnung: Mehr als 1800 lokale Stromgemeinschaften gegru

The figures are based on a survey of the 30 largest Swiss distribution network operators and data from the platform for local electricity communities, as Swissolar announced on Wednesday. The survey covered 1,323 local electricity communities (LEG). As the network areas of the operators surveyed cover around 71% of the population, the association extrapolated the figure to the whole of Switzerland.

A LEG – often referred to as a local electricity community – is an association of electricity producers, consumers and, optionally, storage operators within a municipality. The model makes it possible to sell self-generated solar power directly to the neighbourhood or to purchase it from there.

According to Swissolar, the prevalence of these communities is not uniform. In some regions, many projects are already up and running, while in others there are none as yet. The association cited varying levels of demand, as well as differences in processes, IT systems or the services offered by the respective grid operators, as possible reasons for this.

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