Getting electricity with solar panels (photovoltaic panels) - Self-consumption with sale of surplus

Verified 02 novembre 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

Your situation

  • You want to generate electricity for your personal use and sell what you don't consume
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This includes the following equipment:

  • Solar panels. They capture solar energy to 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 installed on a facade or in a garden.
  • One or more inverters. They convert the direct current produced by solar panels into alternating current, identical to that of the public electricity grid and usable in the housing. They are usually installed as close as possible to the solar panels.
  • Batteries. They allow energy to be stored so that it can be used (self-consumed) outside the production period.

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

The company carrying out the installation must have a valid professional certificate or qualification, adapted to the type of installation carried out and the size of the site.

It is recommended to use a professional recognized as an environmental guarantor (RGE). To find a professional near you, you can use an official directory:

Search for a recognized professional environmental guarantor (RGE) or a referenced architect to perform an energy audit or a certified diagnoser to perform an energy performance diagnosis (EPD)

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

Evaluate the photovoltaic potential and self-consumption of your home

Purchase and installation

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

  • Brand of equipment used
  • Installation power (kWp)
  • Additional services (energy management system, battery, ...)
  • Choice of the professional responsible for the installation.

You benefit from a value added tax (TVA) rate of 5.5% if the following conditions are met:

  • The power of the installation is less than or equal to 9 kilowatts-peak (kWp). This corresponds to about 25 solar panels.
  • The panels have a low carbon footprint (less than 530 kgCO2eq/kWc) 
  • The 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) to synchronize consumption with solar production (heating, hot water, charging station, ...)..

If one of these conditions is not met, the facility cannot benefit from the TVA rate at 5.5%. The works are then subjected to the standard TVA level of 20%.

FYI  

If a battery is included in the project, the entire quote is subject to the TVA rate of 20%.

Operation

The sale of surplus electricity results in the annual payment of a tax called transmission rates for electricity producers.

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

Solar panels generally perform well for 30 years.

The inverters have an average life of 15 years. Even if some can run longer, it is possible to have to replace the inverter during the lifetime of the installation.

During operation, it is necessary to carry out regular visual checks of the electrical installation and to contact the professional who carried out the works in case of suspicious signs.

Most modern facilities allow you to view electricity production via an online space. It is recommended to check it occasionally to ensure proper operation of the installation.

It can also be useful to clean the panels occasionally to maximize their performance.

Yes. If the installation complies with the conditions laid down, in particular with regard to the qualification of the company carrying out the works, you can conclude an agreement purchase obligation contract with EDF Obligation to Purchase.

This contract allows you to sell the surplus electricity produced and not self-consumed for 20 years at a regulated purchase rate.

The use of the purchase obligation (PO) is not mandatory. You can also sell your surplus to other companies buying electricity produced by individuals. However, the private offers currently available provide for contract terms of less than 20 years.

If you choose to benefit from OA, you must charge annually for electricity sold via the EDF OA online portal.

To be able to inject (i.e. send) electricity on the public grid, you must perform a connection request with the electricity distribution system operator, Enedis :

Manage your online connection and procedures on the Enedis online space

This can pay off if network strengthening works are needed to accommodate the power you want to inject. However, this situation is rare for residential installations.

Please note

The connection request can be made by yourself or by the installer of your solar panels.

Enedis addresses you a connection proposal (RDP) and a number of Network Access and Operating Agreement (NEO). Once the RDP has been accepted and the CAE has been signed, Enedis will connect and commission your installation.

The connection of the installation in self-consumption with injection of the surplus does not require the installation of a 2nd counter by Enedis. The photovoltaic installation will be connected to the electrical panel of the housing, the latter itself being connected to the consumption meter.

No, you do not have to pay income tax for the sale of electricity if you meet the following 3 conditions:

  • The electricity produced has a power of 3 kWp or less
  • Your equipment is connected to the public network in 2 points at most
  • The electricity produced is not used for the exercise of a professional activity.

However, if one of the 3 conditions is not met, you must pay income tax. Income from the sale of electricity must be included on your tax return as industrial and commercial benefits (BIC).

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • Consultants specializing in home renovation works (France Rénov')

    Before you commit, the public service informs you free of charge to prepare and secure your project. You can be accompanied in your renovation works by advisors France Rénov'.

    By phone

    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