PCA & vPCA: using affordable and sustainable solar power together
Are you looking for an economical and sustainable energy supply for an apartment block or a residential or commercial property? Then opt for photovoltaics in conjunction with a private consumption alliance (PCA). A PCA offers both the owner of a photovoltaic system and the residents numerous lucrative advantages. In addition to the normal, physical PCA, there is also the option of a virtual PCA (vPCA). A combination with a physical PCA or a vPCA alone brings further interesting advantages.
How does a PCA work?
Self-consumption means either using self-generated energy directly yourself or making it available to others on site without using the grid operator's grid. With a PCA, you sell your self-generated solar power directly to residents or rented businesses on site. It is possible to set up a PCA if at least ten per cent of the energy requirement is covered locally.
The members of a PCA share a grid connection and act as a single customer vis-à-vis the distribution grid operator. The electricity costs are billed independently within the community.
Please note that an installation notification from a licensed electrical contractor is also required for the creation of a ZEV due to the physical adjustments to your installation.
Primeo Energie is happy to offer you comprehensive support in setting up and operating a PCA.
If your planned merger fulfils the principles and conditions of a PCA, you can register the merger here.
How does a PCA work?
Self-consumption means either using self-generated energy directly yourself or making it available to others on site without using the grid operator's grid. With a PCA, you sell your self-generated solar power directly to residents or rented businesses on site. It is possible to set up a PCA if at least ten per cent of the energy requirement is covered locally.
The members of a PCA share a grid connection and act as a single customer vis-à-vis the distribution grid operator. The electricity costs are billed independently within the community.
Please note that an installation notification from a licensed electrical contractor is also required for the creation of a ZEV due to the physical adjustments to your installation.
Primeo Energie is happy to offer you comprehensive support in setting up and operating a PCA.
If your planned merger fulfils the principles and conditions of a PCA, you can register the merger here.
How does a virtual PCA (vPCA) work?
Just like a physical PCA, a virtual PCA offers the option of sharing self-generated energy with several parties within a property. In contrast to a physical PCA, this happens virtually with a virtual PCA, i.e. it generally does not trigger any adjustments to the metering infrastructure.
In addition, depending on the constellation, the connection line and a common grid connection point/interconnection point (e.g. distribution cabin/transformer station) can be used with a vPCA - muffle grids generally do not allow a vPCA. With a physical as well as a virtual PCA, you sell your self-generated solar power directly to residents or rented businesses on site. The distribution system operator invoices the interconnection by means of a virtual main measurement at the common interconnection point - the other measurement data of the individual parties is made available.
It is possible to establish a vPCA if at least 10% of the total connected load in production capacity is in the vPCA. Furthermore, virtual PCA can only be established at the low-voltage level (voltage level below 1 kV).
The members of a vPCA act as a single customer vis-à-vis the distribution system operator, so a legal representative is required for the association. The electricity costs are billed independently within the community.
Can you imagine setting up a virtual PCA in your area? Then send us an email at vZEV-Netz@primeo-energie.ch. We will be happy to check your connection status for you.
If your planned merger fulfils the principles and conditions of a vPCA, you can officially register the merger with Primeo Energie as a distribution system operator using the following form.