Getting electricity with solar panels (photovoltaic panels) - You want to use all the electricity produced

Verified 01 octobre 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Your situation

  • You want to generate electricity and consume it entirely
Edit

These are the following equipment:

  • Solar panels. They 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 geographical areas with very high sunshine, they can also be settled on a facade or in a garden.
  • One or more inverters. The inverter is a small housing fixed on 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, because your equipment must be sized so that the electricity obtained does not exceed your needs.

Yes. You have to make a prior declaration of works to your town hall.

If you are building a house, the installation of solar panels must be included on your application for building permit.

Warning  

Before making your declaration or application for a building permit, it is recommended to contact your town hall. They can inform you about any local restrictions regarding the installation of solar panels or specific aesthetic requirements such as the color of the roof.

Who shall I contact

It is recommended to use a recognized environmental guarantor (EGR).

For the list of RGE professionals, you can use an official directory:

Search for a recognized environmental guarantor (EGR) or architect

Before signing a quote with a professional, it is advisable to evaluate the profitability of the project using a simulator:

Evaluate your quote for the installation of solar panels (photovoltaics)

Purchase and installation

The price of equipment (solar panels, inverter, ...) and their installation is variable. It depends on the following:

  • Materials used
  • Installation method (integrated or simply installed solar panels)
  • Choice of the professional who will settle your solar panels.

Since 1er October 2025, you benefit from the value added tax (VAT) at 5.5% (against 10% before that date) if the following conditions are met:

  • The power of the installation is less than or equal to 9 peak kilowatts (kWp). This corresponds to about 25 solar panels.
  • The panels have a low carbon footprint (less than 530 kgCO2eq/kWc) 
  • Heavy metal content is zero or low: silver (less than 14 mg/W), lead (less than 0.1%) and cadmium (less than 0.01%)
  • The installation incorporates an energy management system (EMS) that synchronizes consumption with solar production (heating, hot water, charging station, ...).

If the conditions are not met, then you are subject to the VAT rate at 10%.

Operation

Once the solar panels are settled, you have the obligation to take out civil liability insurance for your installation. For this, you can request the modification of your home insurance policy. Your contribution amount will then be recalculated.

FYI  

The lifetime of solar panels is usually 25 to 30 years. You should regularly maintain your solar panels (clean them), as their materials degrade with the weather and pollution. In addition, the inverter must be changed approximately every 10 years.

You must sign an self-consumption convention without injection (CACSI) with the public electricity system operator, i.e Enedis.

This agreement serves in particular to secure your installation and avoid any accidental injection of electricity on the public network.

You must use the following convention template:

Self-consumption agreement without injection for an electricity generating installation

This agreement must be sent to Enedis, preferably by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.

The commissioning of your solar panels will be carried out after receipt of the signed agreement.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • Specialized advisors in home renovation works (France Rénov')

    Allows to be accompanied free of charge in its renovation work by advisors of France Rénov'.

    By phone

    0 808 800 700

    Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. You must have your last tax notice.

    Free service + cost of a call