Obtaining electricity with solar panels (photovoltaic panels) - You sell all your electricity
Verified 13 octobre 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
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)