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What are the advantages of photovoltaic panels?
Photovoltaic panels are often mistakenly referred to as "solar panels". In reality, they are two different devices.
The former are made up of a multitude of photovoltaic cells, which absorb the sun's rays and convert them into electrical energy to power the home's general circuit.
Solar panels, or thermal panels, also capture the sun's energy, but transform it into heat used to heat the home and produce domestic hot water.
For technical and economic reasons, it is generally difficult to combine these two types of panel. However, if your heating and domestic hot water system is powered by an electrical energy source, it's much more cost-effective to opt for photovoltaic panels. You'll be able to manage your own energy production and enjoy the full benefits of self-consumption.
A still high cost
The manufacture of the latest generation of photovoltaic solar panels is still relatively expensive. Installation can be complex, requiring the panels to be connected to an inverter, which distributes theelectricity to the household circuit, converting the direct current produced into alternating current consumed. This work must be carried out by a certified professional. For all these reasons, the initial investment remains fairly high. As a rough guide, the average cost of a 1 kW solar panel with a surface area of 1 m² is €1,000. For a 150 m² home, this means an investment of between €9,000 and €15,000.
However, the principle of self-consumption can drastically reduce your electricity bill. Solar energy converted into electrical energy can power all your appliances: TV, washing machine, smartphone... and even the battery of your electric car!
What's more, you'll be able to reduce your dependence on electricity suppliers, so you'll be less affected by market-indexed tariff changes that are impossible to anticipate. But that's not all: you'll also be able to resell some of the electricity you don't use.
The purchase obligation: a boon for generating income
Over the long term, installing photovoltaic panels can generate an attractive additional income. In fact, if you don't consume all the electricity generated by solar power, you can resell the surplus thanks to the "obligation d'achat" (compulsory purchase obligation). This legislation, in force since February 10, 2000, obliges electricity suppliers and distributors to buy back energy not consumed by private individuals. Tariffs are regulated by government decree. The contract between the supplier and the consumer runs for 20 years. By opting to resell your electricity, you're guaranteed a fixed income for several years.
National installation aids
Photovoltaic panels make a major contribution to the development and sustainability of the energy transition. With a carbon footprint close to zero, this energy source reduces greenhouse gas emissions. What's more, new production technologies and the use of 100% recyclable materials further limit ecological impact. With this in mind, the government has introduced a number of measures designed to make photovoltaic panels more accessible, even to low-income households. Individuals and professionals wishing to opt for this source of energy can take advantage of investment bonuses, zero-rate eco-loans, reduced VAT and various means-tested energy bonuses.
Investment bonus for solar panel installation
As of January 1, 2014, the installation of solar thermal and photovoltaic panels is no longer eligible for tax credits. However, installations intended for self-consumption and resale (and not for pure sale) can give rise to an investment bonus. This varies from €80/kWp to €380/kWp, depending on the power of the installation.
Self-consumption premium in euros per kWp effective January 1, 2022 :
| System power | Amount of premium for an installation |
|---|---|
|
Less than or equal to 3 kWp |
380 €/kWp |
|
Between 3 and 9 kWp |
290 €/kWp |
|
Between 9 and 36 kWp |
160 €/kWp |
|
Between 36 and 100 kWp |
80 €/kWp |
Source: Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty.
Good to know: you can also benefit from a VAT rate of less than 10% for the installation of photovoltaic panels with an output of 3 kWp or less.
The zero-rate eco-loan (éco-PTZ)
You don't have the funds to finance your photovoltaic panel installation project? You may be eligible for a zero-rate eco-loan (éco-PTZ), subject to certain conditions. In particular, you'll need to install hybrid (thermal and photovoltaic) panels, also known as PV/T panels, to produce domestic hot water. The eco-PTZ is capped at €30,000 per household/user for a minimum package of three works. The work must be carried out by an RGE-certified professional.
MaPrimeRénov'
This renewable energy subsidy program replaces ANAH (Agence nationale d'habitation) subsidies. (National Housing Agency) and the energy transition tax credit (CITE). The installation of photovoltaic panels is an eligible project, in the same way as thermal insulation of the home, insofar as it leads to a reduction in energy costs of at least 25%, and enables better control of the household's electricity consumption.
Paid in advance of the work and with no means-testing, this bonus can greatly facilitate the acquisition and deployment of the installation work.
Please note that since the 1ster January 2022, the conditions for entitlement have changed:
- The dwelling to be equipped must have been built more than 15 years before the grant application.
- It must be the applicant's principal residence.
- Work must be completed within 2 years.
- For tenants, the property must have been occupied for at least 5 years.
As far as the solar panel category is concerned, only hybrid or thermal panels are eligible.
Good to know: MaPrimeRénov' Sérénité is an additional subsidy for individuals on modest incomes. It replaces the subsidies previously paid by the ANAH. Eligible customers are occupants of a main residence with a potential energy gain equal to or greater than 35%. The subsidy can cover up to 50% of the total cost of the work (up to a maximum of €30,000).
The allocation scale is available on the government website France Renov' website.
Local grants for financing photovoltaic panels
The Solar Plan implemented by the French government in 2018 to promote self-consumption aims to achieve an energy mix comprising of 32% solar energy by 2030. To achieve this, many efforts have already been made. Local subsidies are part of this approach.
If you live in certain regions or départements, you can combine these additional subsidies with the financing schemes mentioned above. Here is the list of subsidies renewed in 2022.
Solar panel help Essonne
Launched in March 2019 at the initiative of the departmental council, Essonne solar panel aid is designed to support residents' energy renovation projects. It is integrated into the eco-logis 91 bonussubsidy, extended until 2024 with no income restrictions. Funding amounts to €800 for small-scale work, and up to 20% of the total cost of renovation for larger projects. In both cases, a minimum 35% improvement in energy consumption is required. The installation of photovoltaic panels therefore falls well within this regulatory framework.
The eco-logis 91 bonus is also available to co-owners, with a bonus of up to €3,750 per home (only for work carried out on common areas).
Bourg-en-Bresse solar panel assistance
In Bourg-en-Bresse, energy transition assistance is called "Mon Cap Energie". It is financed by the Renewable Energy Fund of the CA3B (Communauté d'Agglomération du Bassin de Bourg-en-Bresse). For the installation of photovoltaic panels, assistance can reach €1,000.
Eligibility conditions relate to the status of the resident (owner-occupier or landowner) and the nature of the equipment installed. To apply for a grant, all you have to do is visit the operation site, specially set up on the premises of the Ain Chamber of Trades and Crafts.
Solar panel support for the Grand-Est region
The aim of this photovoltaic support scheme is to facilitate the development of self-consumption throughout the Grand-Est region. Financial assistance is available for professionals, associations, SCIs (Société Civile Immobilière) and condominiums. For companies, rates vary according to size (between 50% for large companies and 60% to 70% for SMEs).
Solar panel help from La Cali
La Cali, better known as the Communauté d'Agglomération du Libournais (on Bordeaux's right bank), is offering residents and new arrivals access to a tool for solar energy transition project simulation tool to measure the energy potential of their roof. After running a simulation, users are invited to discover different options for finalizing their project (contact with professionals, advice and estimates). This service is free of charge. Residents can also apply for financial assistance, up to a maximum of 20% of the total cost of the work (capped at €2,000 for self-consumption panels). The panels must be installed in homes over two years old by an RGE professional.
Solar panel help Anor
The town of Anor intends to promote the deployment of clean energies through a subsidy program for its residents. The scheme, which aims to finance part of the cost of installing photovoltaic panels, amounts to €2,700. The solar cadastre tool enables users to reliably assess the energy potential of their roof. They will then be invited to download a grant application form which can be submitted directly to the town hall.
Toulouse Métropole solar panel assistance
Highly involved in reducing its energy footprint at local level, the city of Toulouse has deployed schemes to support the energy transition on both an individual and global scale. Since 2020, specific assistance has been available to help homeowners green their installations, particularly in terms of electricity production. Depending on the nature of the project, the grant can cover up to 25% of the cost of the work. For the installation of photovoltaic solar panels, the financial boost is capped at €15,000.
Solar panel help in Provence
Residents of the Bouches-du-Rhône department wishing to install solar panels to heat their homes are entitled to a local subsidy of up to €6,000, subject to a means test. The household's reference tax income must be less than €60,000 for a couple with children, or €30,000 for a single person.
Please note: work on the common areas of condominiums is not covered.
In the Drôme, the Valence Romans conurbation is offering a €750 grant in the form of the Rénov' Habitat Durable bonus. To qualify for this grant, individuals must carry out a combination of two types of work, including optimizing thermal insulation and switching to a renewable energy source.
Photovoltaic panels offer a number of advantages, making them a forward-looking solution for producing and consuming electrical energy more responsibly. For the end-user, the stakes are also economic, since such an installation can quickly pay for itself. Thanks to local and national subsidies, financing is easy, to the benefit of users.
