CSC and vCSC: How to Make Your Property Ready for the Energy Future

Generate your own solar power, lower your electricity costs, and increase the value of your property—with CSC or vCSC , sustainable energy is finally simple and profitable for owners of apartment buildings and properties. Learn how you can benefit from the advantages of decentralized energy generation.

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What is a " CSC ," and why is it worth it for you?

In Switzerland, decentralized energy generation is steadily gaining importance. A key concept in this context is the formation of a group for self-consumption, or “ CSC ” for short. In this article, you’ll learn what a “ CSC ” and a “ vCSC ” are, how easy it is to set them up, and why this model is worthwhile not only for your electricity bill but also for the future of your property—especially when combined with the smart energy management system from smart-me.

The growing desire to be independent of electricity price fluctuations and increasing environmental awareness are making the “ CSC ” an increasingly popular solution for owners of apartment buildings and properties. A allows solar power generated on-site to be sold directly to tenants or other parties in the building, rather than feeding it into the public grid at rates that are often low.

The result: a win-win situation for everyone involved. Residents benefit from affordable and sustainable solar power, while you increase the profitability of your solar power system and boost the value of your property.

→ Learn more about this successful implementation inthe case study " CSC " by Zimel in Unterägeri.

How to Easily Start a (v)CSC in Switzerland

Setting up a ZEV is straightforward. The key is to group multiple consumers behind a single grid connection point. The solar energy generated is first consumed within the community; only excess electricity is fed into the grid or purchased as needed.

1. Agreement

All participating consumers enter into an agreement to establish the ZEV

2. Registration with the network operator

The connection will be reported to the local distribution network

3. Installation of the Measurement Equipment

A smart metering system such as smart-me accurately measures energy flow

→ Ourcertified smart-me partners will install and configure your smart-me CSC system anywhere in Switzerland.

New and flexible: The virtual " CSC " (vCSC) in Switzerland

Since January 1, 2025, the virtual grouping for self-consumption has significantly expanded the options available.

What is a " vCSC"?

The main difference from the traditional “ CSC ” is that a direct, physical connection between the participating buildings is no longer necessary. The connection is established “virtually” via the existing public power grid up to the nearest distribution box. This means that you can also supply your neighbors or properties that aren’t directly adjacent to yours with your solar power.

smart-me 's role in * vCSC*:

Precisely because the power flows in a " vCSC " run through the public grid, an intelligent metering and billing platform is essential. The smart-me system is designed to import the complex metering data from various meters (including those of the grid operators), assign it correctly, and generate accurate billing for the vCSC .

Why Real-Time Data Is Crucial for a Successful " CSC "

smart-me delivers real-time data on all energy flows to the cloud every second.

Visualization and Transparency

Residents and the administration can view consumption, production, and grid intake at any time

Optimization of Self-Consumption

Appliances such as heat pumps and electric cars use solar power in a targeted manner—automation is possible

Open Technology

Interfaces with third-party systems such as Loxone or Solar-Manager increase efficiency

Secure and Fair Billing: The Technical Foundation

The smart-me system automatically handles data collection and processing, enabling simple, transparent, and legally compliant energy cost billing at the push of a button. For a correct and legally valid Billing for Your ZEV Two technical aspects are essential:

MID Certification (Measuring Instruments Directive)

This is a European directive that ensures meters are calibrated and provide accurate readings for billing purposes. All smart-me meters are MID-certified and therefore approved for billing.

CH Load Profile Measurement

The meters record energy consumption at short intervals (every 15 minutes in Switzerland). This detailed data—known as the load profile—forms the basis for accurate and fair billing among the various parties in the CSC.

The smart-me system automatically handles data collection and processing, enabling simple, transparent, and legally compliant energy cost billing at the push of a button.

The Benefits Over 10 Years: A Worthwhile Investment

Choosing a CSC is an investment that will pay off for you in the long run:

Cost savings: Residents benefit from an electricity rate that is generally significantly lower than that of the local utility, since there are no grid access fees or taxes on the solar electricity consumed on-site.

Higher returns: As the owner, you sell your solar power to tenants at a more attractive price than you would get by feeding it into the grid. This significantly shortens the payback period for the photovoltaic system.

Increase in the property's value: A property with a CSC and an electric vehicle charging infrastructure is more attractive to tenants and buyers. It conveys a sense of modernity, sustainability, and low utility costs.

Price certainty: Because of its high level of self-consumption, the building is less vulnerable to future increases in electricity prices on the market.

Integrate e-mobility directly into your CSC

Electric mobility is a key component of the energy transition. With the smart-me Pico charging station, you can seamlessly and intelligently integrate electric car charging into your CSC —without any complicated interfaces.

Since the Pico charging station is based on the same technology as the smart-me meters, it integrates seamlessly into the system. The built-in, multi-stage load management ensures that the available power is optimally distributed among the vehicles being charged without overloading the home’s electrical connection. In addition, the system can be configured so that vehicles are charged primarily with excess solar power. Billing for the charging electricity is simple and transparent, handled through the same platform as household electricity.

Why a CSC is a future-proof choice

A " CSC " is more than just a cost-saving model. It is a step toward a decentralized, smart, and sustainable energy future. With the introduction of virtual ZEVs (vCSC) and the growing importance of energy communities, this concept will become even more relevant.

An smart-me -based CSC system is the ideal foundation for this:

Scalable: It grows with your needs, from a single apartment building to an entire complex.

Flexible: It integrates not only electricity but also heat, water, and cooling meters, as well as e-mobility, into a single, user-friendly platform.

Intelligent: It enables dynamic load management and smart energy applications that help stabilize the power grid and further reduce energy costs.

Ready for your CSC?

Contact our certified partners for a no-obligation consultation and get your property ready for the energy future.

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