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Obtaining electricity with solar panels (photovoltaic panels)
Verified 13 October 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Want to settle solar panels on your roof to get electricity?
The electricity obtained may be used for your personal use or sold, in whole or in part, in particular to an electricity supplier. The technical and administrative obligations to be met will depend in particular on this choice.
We are taking stock of the regulations.
What applies to you ?
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You use all your electricity
You can produce electricity and consume it entirely by settling:
- Psolar rings (photovoltaic). These panels capture solar energy and turn it into electricity. They can be attached to your original roof (non-integrated equipment) or integrated as a replacement for the original roof (built-in equipment). In some geographic areas, they can also be settled on a facade or in a garden.
- One or multiple inverters. The UPS is a small box attached to a wall as close as possible to the solar panels. It converts the direct current obtained into alternating current identical to that of the public electricity network and usable at home.
- Batteries if you want to be able to store the electricity obtained for your consumption
- Device for clamping possibly, because your equipment must be sized for the electricity obtained never exceeds your needs
One guide is available to help you complete your project.
It is recommended that you use a recognized environmental professional (EGP) to install your solar panels.
To find out the list of professionals, you can help yourself from a directory:
Search for a company with the quality "Recognized Guarantor of the Environment"
An advisor can help you define and evaluate your project costs and benefits :
Who shall I contact
Specialist advisors on housing renovation works (France Rénov')
Allows you to be accompanied for free in its renovation work by specialized advisors of France Rénov'
By telephone
0 808 800 700
Open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. You must have your last tax notice.
Free service + cost of a call
Before settling your solar panels, you need to make a preliminary declaration of works to your town hall.
If you are building a house, your solar panel installation must be included on your application for building permit.
FYI
it is recommended to contact your city council to find out if there are any special rules in your municipality (e.g. roof color to be respected).
Installation costs
The price of the equipment (solar panels, inverter, etc.) and its installation varies. It depends on the following:
- Materials used
- Method of installation (integrated or simply installed solar panels)
- Choice of professional who will settle your solar panels
Operating costs
Once the solar panels are settled, you are required to take out civil liability insurance for this equipment. To do this, you can request a change to your home insurance contract. The amount of your contribution will be reassessed.
FYI
you must regularly maintain your solar panels, as their materials degrade with the weather. In addition, the UPS must be changed approximately every 10 years.
You must sign a convention of self-consumption without injection (CACSI) with the public electricity system operator present in your municipality (in general, Enedis). You can use a convention template:
Convention for self-consumption without injection for an electricity production installation
The commissioning of your equipment is performed after the receipt by the network manager of your signed agreement.
You use some of your electricity and sell the surplus
You can produce electricity for your own use and sell what you don’t use by settling:
- Psolar rings (photovoltaic). These panels capture solar energy and turn it into electricity. They can be attached to your original roof (non-integrated equipment) or integrated as a replacement for the original roof (built-in equipment).
- One or more uninterruptible power supplies. The UPS is a small box attached to a wall as close as possible to the solar panels. It converts the obtained direct current into alternating current identical to that of the public electricity network.
- Batteries if you want to be able to store the electricity obtained for your consumption
One guide is available to help you complete your project.
It is recommended that you use a recognized environmental professional (EGP) to install your solar panels.
To find out the list of professionals, you can help yourself from a directory:
Search for a company with the quality "Recognized Guarantor of the Environment"
An advisor can help you define and evaluate your project costs and benefits :
Who shall I contact
Specialist advisors on housing renovation works (France Rénov')
Allows you to be accompanied for free in its renovation work by specialized advisors of France Rénov'
By telephone
0 808 800 700
Open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. You must have your last tax notice.
Free service + cost of a call
Before settling your solar panels, you need to make a preliminary declaration of works to your town hall.
If you are building a house, your solar panel installation must be included on your application for building permit.
FYI
It is recommended to contact your city hall to find out if there are any special rules in your municipality (for example, the color of the roof to be respected).
Installation costs
The price of the equipment (solar panels and inverter) and its installation varies. It depends in particular on the following:
- Materials used
- Method of installation (integrated or simply installed solar panels)
- Choice of professional who will settle your solar panels
Operating costs
Once the solar panels are settled, you are required to take out civil liability insurance for this equipment. To do this, you can request a change to your home insurance contract. The amount of your contribution will be reassessed.
For the sale of the remaining electricity, you have to pay an annual tax, called Turp: titleContent.
FYI
you must regularly maintain your solar panels because their materials deteriorate with the weather. In addition, the UPS must be changed approximately every 10 years.
Revenues from the sale of electricity
You don't pay income tax for the sale of electricity if your equipment meets the following 3 conditions:
- Electricity has a power output of less than 3 kilowatts (kWc)
- Electricity shall be connected to the public network at not more than 2 points
- It shall not be used for the exercise of a professional activity
If one of the 3 conditions is not met, you must pay income tax. This income must be reported on your return as Industrial and Commercial Benefits (BIC).
FYI
for equipment with a power output of less than 3 kWc, the electricity obtained may be supplied free of charge. In addition, installing your network-connected equipment with a power of 3 kWc or less can benefit from a VAT to 10%.
Investment premium
By deciding to sell your surplus electricity, you can benefit from the investment premium. To do this, your solar panels must have been settled by an EGR installer.
To find out the list of professionals, you can help yourself from a directory:
Search for a company with the quality "Recognized Guarantor of the Environment"
The amount of the premium depends on the power of your equipment. This amount is changed quarterly.
The premium is paid at the same time as your income from selling your surplus. You do not have to take any steps to receive this bonus.
You must make a request for connection to the electricity network manager in your municipality (in general, Enedis) to be connected to the public network.
This connection allows you to inject the surplus of your electricity production and sell it.
Enedis: apply for connection to the public electricity grid
These services are not free. Costs vary depending on your equipment characteristics.
This request can be made by you or by the installer of your solar panels.
The Network Manager sends you a connection proposal (PDR.) and a network access and operation agreement (CAE) number. It will connect and commission your equipment once you have accepted the RDP and signed the EAC.
When you make your connection request, you sign a contract of obligation to purchase with the network manager. This contract obliges the system operator to purchase your electricity.
The contract is for 20 years. It applies from the date of commissioning of your equipment (actual connection to the network).
The purchase price of the electricity produced is fixed by law and cannot therefore be negotiated.
The rate that applies to your contract is the rate in effect on the date of the request for connection of your equipment.
You must send your invoice to your Network Manager on the renewal date of your contract each year.
You sell all your electricity
You can produce electricity for full sale by settling:
- Psolar rings (photovoltaic). These panels capture solar energy and turn it into electricity. They can be attached to your original roof (non-integrated equipment) or integrated as a replacement for the original roof (built-in equipment). In some geographic areas, they can also be settled on a facade or in a garden.
- One or multiple inverters. The UPS is a small box attached to a wall as close as possible to the solar panels. It converts the direct current obtained into alternating current identical to that of the public electricity network and usable at home.
It is recommended that you use a recognized environmental professional (EGP) to install your solar panels.
To find out the list of professionals, you can help yourself from a directory:
Search for a company with the quality "Recognized Guarantor of the Environment"
In order to sell the resulting electricity, your device must be connected to the public electricity grid. In total, 2 communicating meters must be settled at your home.
An advisor can help you define your project and assess the costs and benefits :
Who shall I contact
Specialist advisors on housing renovation works (France Rénov')
Allows you to be accompanied for free in its renovation work by specialized advisors of France Rénov'
By telephone
0 808 800 700
Open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. You must have your last tax notice.
Free service + cost of a call
Before settling your solar panels, you need to make a preliminary declaration of works to your town hall.
If you are building a house, your solar panel installation must be included on your application for building permit.
FYI
it is recommended to contact your city council to find out if there are any special rules in your municipality (e.g. roof color to be respected).
Installation costs
The price of the equipment (solar panels and inverter) and its installation varies. It depends on the following:
- Materials used
- Method of installation (integrated or simply installed solar panels)
- Choice of professional who will settle your solar panels
Operating costs
Once the solar panels are settled, you are required to take out civil liability insurance for this equipment. To do this, you can request a change to your home insurance contract. The amount of your contribution will be reassessed.
FYI
you must regularly maintain your solar panels because their materials deteriorate with the weather. In addition, the UPS must be changed approximately every 10 years.
Revenues from the sale of electricity
You don't pay income tax for the sale of electricity if your equipment meets the following 3 conditions:
- Electricity shall not have a power output greater than 3 kilowatts (kWc)
- Electricity shall be connected to the public network at not more than 2 points
- Electricity shall not be used for the exercise of a professional activity
If one of the 3 conditions is not met, you must pay income tax. These revenues must be reported on your income tax return as Industrial and Commercial Benefits (BIC).
FYI
for equipment with a power output of less than 3 kWc, the electricity obtained may be supplied free of charge. In addition, installing your network-connected equipment with a power of 3 kWc or less can benefit from a VAT to 10%.
You must make a connection request to the electricity network manager present in your municipality (in general, Enedis) in order to be connected to the public grid and to be able to sell electricity:
Enedis: apply for connection to the public electricity grid
This request can be made by you or your solar panel installer.
The Network Manager sends you a connection proposal (PDR.) and a network access and operation agreement (CAE) number. It will connect and commission your equipment once you have accepted the RDP and signed the EAC.
When you make your connection request, you sign a contract of obligation to purchase with the network manager. This contract obliges the system operator to purchase your electricity.
The contract is for 20 years. It applies from the date of commissioning of your equipment (actual connection to the network).
The purchase price of the electricity produced is fixed by law and cannot therefore be negotiated.
The rate that applies to your contract is the rate in effect on the date of the request for connection of your equipment.
You must send your invoice to your Network Manager on the renewal date of your contract each year.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Specialist advisors on housing renovation works (France Rénov')
Allows you to be accompanied for free in its renovation work by specialized advisors of France Rénov'
By telephone
0 808 800 700
Open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. You must have your last tax notice.
Free service + cost of a call
Self-consumption
Connection times
Obligation to purchase
Obligation to purchase
Conditions for exemption of income from the sale of electricity
Ecological Transition Agency (Ademe)
Ecological Transition Agency (Ademe)
Ecological Transition Agency (Ademe)
ENEDIS (ex-ERDF)
Ministry of Economy
Ecological Transition Agency (Ademe)
ENEDIS (ex-ERDF)
ENEDIS (ex-ERDF)
National Institute of Consumer Affairs (INC)