Solar Self-Consumption in France: 2026 Guide
Installing photovoltaic panels in France in 2026? This guide covers the three self-consumption modes, panel and inverter basics, the incentives to check and the steps from quote to connection, with a section for readers who are new to France.
Key takeaways
- • You can run total self-consumption (no resale), self-consumption with surplus sale, or full resale.
- • A rooftop solar panel needs a déclaration préalable at the town hall: one month of instruction, or two months in protected sectors (Service-Public).
- • photovoltaique.info lists an income-tax exemption for surplus income from installations of up to 3 kWp, and two other regimes above that.
- • The Service-Public MaPrimeRénov' page does not list photovoltaic panels among eligible works.
- • This guide quotes no installed prices or tariff amounts: get several written quotes and read the current values on photovoltaique.info.
How solar self-consumption works in France
Solar self-consumption means producing your own electricity through photovoltaic panels on your roof or property, then using that power directly in your home. Any surplus you do not consume can be sold back to the grid through EDF OA's purchase obligation (obligation d'achat), stored in a battery, or lost. photovoltaique.info publishes the current surplus purchase tariff.
Three modes of self-consumption
Total Self-Consumption
You use everything your panels produce. Surplus is not fed to the grid.
- No sale of electricity
- No surplus revenue
Self-Consumption with Surplus Sale
You consume what you produce and sell the excess to EDF OA.
- Surplus revenue from EDF OA
Full Resale
You sell all of your production and buy your household electricity separately from the grid.
- No bill savings from your own production
Panels, inverters and batteries
Ask each installer to state in the quote the panel technology and brand, the rated power in kWp, the inverter type and the warranty terms, so that you can compare quotes line by line.
Inverter choice
The inverter converts the direct-current output of the panels into the alternating current your home uses.
String Inverter
Panels are wired in series to one central inverter.
Power Optimizers
Panel-level optimisation with a central inverter.
Micro-inverters
One inverter per panel.
Battery storage
A battery stores surplus production for later use. Ask the installer for a written estimate of the share of your production you would use with and without a battery, and for the full installed price of the battery, before you decide.
Choosing your system
Power capacity (kWp) is the rated output of the panels. The right size depends on your annual consumption, your available roof and your budget. Ask the installer to base the estimate on your own electricity bills.
Site checks to request
Orientation
Ask how the roof orientation affects the estimated production.
Tilt
Ask how the roof pitch, or the mounts on a flat roof, change the estimate.
Shading
Ask for a shading assessment of chimneys, trees and neighbouring buildings.
The more of your own production you use, the more you save on your bill. Shifting appliances to the hours your panels produce raises your self-consumption; our off-peak hours guide explains how French time-of-use tariffs work.
Financial incentives and tax
Amounts change, so this guide quotes none. Read the current values on photovoltaique.info and ask each installer to show which of them are included in the quote.
EDF OA buys your surplus electricity at a rate published on photovoltaique.info.
photovoltaique.info lists three regimes: an exemption for installations of up to 3 kWp, the micro-enterprise regime and the simplified real regime. Confirm your own situation with your accountant.
The Service-Public MaPrimeRénov' page, verified on 1 September 2026, does not list photovoltaic panels among the eligible works.
The installation process
- Site assessment and quotes
Ask for several written quotes. Assess roof orientation, tilt, shading and the capacity of your electrical panel.
- Contract
Sign the installation contract. If you sell surplus, the EDF OA registration follows.
- Prior declaration
A rooftop solar panel needs a déclaration préalable filed at the town hall. The instruction period is one month, or two months in protected sectors (Service-Public).
- Grid-connection application
Your installer or you apply to the network operator for the connection.
- Installation
Physical installation of panels, mounting, inverter and wiring.
- Consuel attestation
Consuel issues the photovoltaic attestations that check compliance with electrical safety requirements.
- Commissioning
The connection to the grid is put into service.
- EDF OA contract
If you sell surplus, EDF OA activates your purchase contract.
Check your installer. Ask for the installer's qualification certificates and insurance documents in writing before you sign.
If you are new to France
Newcomers install solar under the same procedures as everyone else. These are the practical points:
- • The déclaration préalable is a French administrative procedure filed at your town hall. The official description is on service-public.gouv.fr.
- • Each body you deal with (the town hall, the network operator, EDF OA) sets which identity and address documents it accepts, and we could not confirm any list, so ask before you file.
- • If you rent, ask your landlord in writing before you plan any installation.
- • We could not confirm that any installer or body works in English, so ask for the quote and the contract in a language you can read before you sign.
- • Confirm the income-tax treatment of surplus revenue for your own situation with your accountant.
Warranties to ask for
- • A panel product warranty, which covers manufacturing defects.
- • A linear power warranty, which guarantees a minimum output level over the panel's life.
- • The inverter warranty: ask how long it runs and whether it can be extended.
- • The installer's workmanship terms, in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need planning permission for rooftop solar panels?▼
Service-Public lists a rooftop solar panel among the works that need a déclaration préalable, filed at the town hall on the form 'Déclaration préalable constructions et travaux non soumis à permis de construire' (Service-Public reference R2028). The instruction period is one month, or two months in protected sectors.
Is the income from surplus electricity taxable?▼
photovoltaique.info lists three tax regimes for surplus income: an exemption for installations of up to 3 kWp, the micro-enterprise regime and the simplified real regime. Check which one applies to your installation with your accountant or the tax office.
What is Consuel?▼
Consuel describes itself as a public-interest association under the 1901 law whose mission is to ensure compliance with the electrical safety requirements in force. Its website lists photovoltaic attestations, and the fee is shown on its online purchasing platform.
Can I combine solar panels with MaPrimeRénov'?▼
The Service-Public MaPrimeRénov' page, verified on 1 September 2026, does not list photovoltaic panels among the eligible works. Check the current rules with a France Rénov' adviser before you sign.
Official sources (accessed October 6, 2026)
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Disclaimer: This article is informational and not professional advice. Prices, tariff and premium amounts are deliberately not quoted because they change: check the official sources above and request several written quotes before signing.