"This decentralized production will have an impact on the management of networks"

For several quarters, new mechanisms have offered interesting prospects for transforming the photovoltaic market in Switzerland. Regroupements within the framework of virtual self-consumption (RCPv), introduced in 2025, as well as Local electric communities (CEL), which came into force in 2026, now make it possible to share locally produced electricity at the scale of a neighborhood, or even a municipality.

This decentralization of production naturally raises many challenges for a sector historically organized around centralized infrastructures. As part of our interview series dedicated to this theme with reference actors in the sector, we wanted to collect the point of view of a major producer from French-speaking Switzerland. Head of Sales and Business Development at FMV, Benoit Martinet gives us his analysis.

Will future CELs and RCPvs upset the way energy is produced in Switzerland?

These new solar communities will certainly not upset energy production in Switzerland. However, they will allow for a different distribution of production, notably photovoltaic.

From the point of view of hydropower wholesalers, production is not directly affected by the CELs themselves. However, we must seek to optimize the flexibility of our hydraulic installations in order to compensate for the daily and seasonal fluctuations of photovoltaic production and to meet the balance requirements of the power grids.

What consequences could these solar communities have on the activities and annual results of a producer like FMV?

Our activities are not directly impacted. FMV is not an electricity supply company (EAE) and does not have a portfolio of end customers comparable to that of an energy distributor. The CELs constitute an offering that electricity distributors, who are our clients, are already developing. FMV therefore has no vocation to compete with them in this area. However, we can, where appropriate, accompany and support them in the implementation of these projects.

This development in photovoltaics poses challenges for hydropower production, which still needs to gain flexibility.

To make up for potential shortfalls in revenue, could FMV consider investing in these future solar communities?

Diversification is part of FMV's strategic objectives and, as such, all avenues are possible. Nevertheless, as noted above, FMV does not have either the vocation or the customer base necessary to develop this type of community. But this consideration will continue as opportunities may arise.

Is Switzerland right to fully commit to decentralized and quasi self-sufficient solar production?

This is above all a political question. The development of renewable energies is both desirable and desired. However, the growth of each has implications for the evolution of other energy sources.

As mentioned above, this development in photovoltaics poses challenges for hydropower production, which still needs to gain flexibility. It also raises significant issues for the transmission of electricity. Indeed, this decentralized production will have a significant impact since it further complicates network management.

Could the CELs and the RCPvs influence electricity prices in the medium and long term?

The price of electricity in Switzerland is strongly correlated with that of the European markets. Its evolution depends on many factors, several of which go far beyond the national framework. Given the price formation mechanisms on electricity markets, the CELs and the RCPv should therefore not have a significant impact on prices in the medium and long term.

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