Obtaining electricity with solar panels (photovoltaic panels) - To use everything

Verified 07 décembre 2021 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Your situation

  • You want to produce electricity and consume it entirely yourself
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You can produce electricity and consume it entirely by settling:

  • Multiple solar panels (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 photovoltaic 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 you get
  • Device for clamping possibly, because your equipment must be sized so that the electricity obtained never exceeds your needs

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"

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, the installation of your solar panels must be included on the application for building permit.

FYI  

it is recommended to contact your city council to find out if there are any special rules in force in your municipality (example: color of the roof).

Installation costs

The price of the equipment (solar panels, inverter, etc.) and its installation varies. It depends on the following:

  • Materials used
  • Method of installation (integrated or simply laid panels)
  • Installer you use
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, as their materials degrade with the weather. In addition, the UPS must be changed approximately every 10 years.

You must sign a convention of self-consumption without injection (CACSI) with the public electricity system operator present in your municipality (in general, Enedis):

Convention for self-consumption without injection for an electricity production installation

The commissioning of your equipment is performed after the receipt by the network manager of your signed agreement.