Reference articles, updated regularly. No sponsored content. No commercial affiliation. Just verifiable data.
Our reference articles, updated as the schemes change.
Reduced 5.5% VAT, regional grants, financing: the incentives households can still access in 2026. The self-consumption bonus was abolished on 1 June 2026, and MaPrimeRénov' does not fund solar photovoltaics.
Income tax exemption for systems of ≤3 kWp, micro-BIC regime above that, VAT at 5.5% or 20%, property tax and declaring income from sales.
Prior declaration of works, approval from the ABF (the French heritage architect) in protected areas, Enedis (the grid operator) connection request, CONSUEL (electrical compliance certificate), EDF OA feed-in contract: the whole process, step by step.
A complete anatomy of a home solar system: panel technologies (monocrystalline, TOPCon, HJT), types of inverter, the role of the Linky smart meter and storage options.
How self-consumption works, self-consumption rate versus self-sufficiency rate, strategies to maximise direct self-consumption, and when a home battery is worthwhile depending on your profile.
Solar panels: a good or a bad idea? We go through every reason for installing solar: the good ones, the bad ones and the real questions to ask yourself before deciding.
A payback period of 14 to 18 years for a typical household, 8 to 11 years in the best cases. Conditions for a good financial return, what drags the payback period down, a full worked example and a comparison with other investments.
How does our simulator work? PVGIS weather data for 8,760 h, a personalised consumption profile, an hour-by-hour cross-check: a transparent methodology that sets us apart.
Sunshine and output of a 3 kWp installation in 23 major French cities. Each row leads to the city's page.
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| Ref. | Item | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Self-consumption bonus (prime à l'autoconsommation) abolished in 2026: what changesFINANCIAL | Abolished by the ministerial order (arrêté) of 1 June 2026. Who is affected, the acquired rights of systems already connected, the incentives still available (5.5% VAT, surplus sales) and why the financial return is still there. | Read |
| 02 | Financial incentives for solar panels in 2026FINANCIAL · GUIDE | Reduced 5.5% VAT, regional grants, financing: the incentives households can still access in 2026. The self-consumption bonus was abolished on 1 June 2026, and MaPrimeRénov' does not fund solar photovoltaics. | Read |
| 03 | Tax on solar panels in 2026: taxes, exemptions and tax returnFINANCIAL · GUIDE | Income tax exemption for systems of ≤3 kWp, micro-BIC regime above that, VAT at 5.5% or 20%, property tax and declaring income from sales. | Read |
| 04 | Administrative steps for a solar photovoltaic installationADMINISTRATIVE · GUIDE | Prior declaration of works, approval from the ABF (the French heritage architect) in protected areas, Enedis (the grid operator) connection request, CONSUEL (electrical compliance certificate), EDF OA feed-in contract: the whole process, step by step. | Read |
| 05 | Understanding a solar installation: panels, inverter, battery, meterEQUIPMENT · GUIDE | A complete anatomy of a home solar system: panel technologies (monocrystalline, TOPCon, HJT), types of inverter, the role of the Linky smart meter and storage options. | Read |
| 06 | The complete guide to solar self-consumptionTECHNICAL · GUIDE | How self-consumption works, self-consumption rate versus self-sufficiency rate, strategies to maximise direct self-consumption, and when a home battery is worthwhile depending on your profile. | Read |
| 07 | Microinverter or central inverter: the complete 2026 comparisonTECHNICAL | Microinverter or string inverter? Comparison of price, lifespan and shading impact (+600 kWh/year on 6 kWp), best brands in 2026 and a decision tree to help you choose. | Read |
| 08 | How much does a solar installation cost in 2026? Prices and price gridsFINANCIAL | Average price of a system by size (3, 6, 9 kWp), breakdown of cost items (panels, inverter, installation, grid connection) and regional price ranges observed. | Read |
| 09 | Solar panel lifespan and degradation: what the real-world data showsTECHNICAL | Solar panels last 30 to 40 years. Real degradation rates (NREL, 54,000 systems): PERC 0.6%/year, TOPCon 0.40%/year, HJT 0.30%/year. Quantified impact on financial return. | Read |
| 10 | 5.5% VAT on solar panels in 2026: conditions, calculation and steps to takeFINANCIAL | Conditions for the reduced 5.5%% VAT rate on your solar installation: five cumulative conditions (a dwelling, capacity ≤ 9 kWp, PPE2-V2 panels compliant on carbon footprint and heavy metals, an EMS). | Read |
| 11 | Virtual battery comparison 2026: Urban Solar, MyLight, EDF OAEQUIPMENT | Virtual battery or EDF OA? Comparison of Urban Solar, MyLight and EDF OA: real rates, an honest financial return calculation and the tipping point (self-consumption bonus abolished in June 2026). | Read |
| 12 | Solar storage batteries in 2026: prices, brands and financial returnEQUIPMENT | Tesla Powerwall 3, Huawei LUNA 2000, BYD, Pylontech, Enphase: a complete comparison of 2026 solar batteries. LFP prices, mandatory EMS and an honest financial return. | Read |
| 13 | Solar panel warranties in 2026: the 5 protections to know aboutEQUIPMENT | Product warranty (10–40 years), linear performance warranty, mandatory ten-year liability insurance (décennale), two-year warranty (biennale) and manufacturer longevity: what each warranty covers and how to enforce your rights. | Read |
| 14 | When is solar really worthwhile for my home?TECHNICAL · GUIDE | Solar panels: a good or a bad idea? We go through every reason for installing solar: the good ones, the bad ones and the real questions to ask yourself before deciding. | Read |
| 15 | Are solar panels worth it in 2026? An honest payback period calculationFINANCIAL · GUIDE | A payback period of 14 to 18 years for a typical household, 8 to 11 years in the best cases. Conditions for a good financial return, what drags the payback period down, a full worked example and a comparison with other investments. | Read |
| 16 | Selling surplus solar power and EDF OA in 2026: rates, steps and taxFINANCIAL | Surplus buy-back at 0.011 €/kWh since the order of 1 June 2026. Full export from 9 kWp: 0.011 €/kWh. Enedis procedures, EDF OA contract, tax (exemption ≤ 3 kWp) and the plug & play case. | Read |
| 17 | Free solar simulator: how it worksTECHNICAL · GUIDE | How does our simulator work? PVGIS weather data for 8,760 h, a personalised consumption profile, an hour-by-hour cross-check: a transparent methodology that sets us apart. | Read |
| 18 | Balcony solar kit 2026: output, price and real financial returnEQUIPMENT | Plug & play kits: what they really produce (PVGIS data, 615-885 kWh/year mounted vertically), prices (400-700 €), the Enedis legal framework, no surplus buy-back or bonus, and who they are really worthwhile for. | Read |
| 19 | Solar panel orientation and tilt: the guide with figuresTECHNICAL | Due south is not essential: the real PVGIS generation matrix. South-east/south-west −5%, east/west −19%, north −43%; ideal tilt 15-45°. Figures and real roof cases. | Read |
| 20 | Free hour-by-hour self-consumption simulator (with your Linky curve)TECHNICAL | 8,760 hours of generation and consumption cross-checked: the real self-consumption of a typical household ranges from 20 to 53 %, whereas a monthly balance would claim 88 %. Why, and how to simulate with your Linky curve. | Read |
| 21 | Solar panels in Paris 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,250 kWh/m²/year (zone H1), generation 3,300 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~473 €/year. A complete guide for households in Paris. | Read |
| 22 | Solar panels in Lyon 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,410 kWh/m²/year (zone H2), generation 3,680 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~528 €/year. A complete guide for households in Lyon. | Read |
| 23 | Solar panels in Marseille 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,690 kWh/m²/year (zone H3), generation 4,650 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~667 €/year. The best financial return in France. | Read |
| 24 | Solar panels in Bordeaux 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,400 kWh/m²/year (zone H2), generation 3,670 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~526 €/year. A complete guide for households in Bordeaux. | Read |
| 25 | Solar panels in Toulouse 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,430 kWh/m²/year (zone H2), generation 3,770 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~541 €/year. A complete guide for households in Toulouse. | Read |
| 26 | Solar panels in Nice 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,630 kWh/m²/year (zone H3), generation 4,370 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~627 €/year. Among the best sun exposure in France. | Read |
| 27 | Solar panels in Nantes 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,310 kWh/m²/year (zone H2), generation 3,520 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~505 €/year. A complete guide for households in Nantes. | Read |
| 28 | Solar panels in Montpellier 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,610 kWh/m²/year (zone H3), generation 4,310 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~618 €/year. A complete guide for households in Montpellier. | Read |
| 29 | Solar panels in Strasbourg 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,260 kWh/m²/year (zone H1), generation 3,270 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~469 €/year. A complete guide for households in Strasbourg. | Read |
| 30 | Solar panels in Rennes 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,240 kWh/m²/year (zone H2), generation 3,320 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~476 €/year. A complete guide for households in Rennes. | Read |
| 31 | Solar panels in Lille 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,160 kWh/m²/year (zone H1), generation 3,080 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~442 €/year. A complete guide for households in Lille. | Read |
| 32 | Solar panels in Reims 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,250 kWh/m²/year (zone H1), generation 3,320 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~476 €/year. A complete guide for households in Reims. | Read |
| 33 | Solar panels in Le Havre 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,220 kWh/m²/year (zone H1), generation 3,270 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~469 €/year. A complete guide for households in Le Havre. | Read |
| 34 | Solar panels in Saint-Étienne 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,340 kWh/m²/year (zone H1), generation 3,450 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~495 €/year. A complete guide for households in Saint-Étienne. | Read |
| 35 | Solar panels in Grenoble 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,450 kWh/m²/year (zone H1), generation 3,880 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~556 €/year. A complete guide for households in Grenoble. | Read |
| 36 | Solar panels in Dijon 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,320 kWh/m²/year (zone H1), generation 3,440 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~493 €/year. A complete guide for households in Dijon. | Read |
| 37 | Solar panels in Angers 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,300 kWh/m²/year (zone H2), generation 3,480 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~499 €/year. A complete guide for households in Angers. | Read |
| 38 | Solar panels in Clermont-Ferrand 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,350 kWh/m²/year (zone H1), generation 3,580 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~513 €/year. A complete guide for households in Clermont-Ferrand. | Read |
| 39 | Solar panels in Perpignan 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,590 kWh/m²/year (zone H3), generation 4,330 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~621 €/year. Among the best financial returns in France. | Read |
| 40 | Solar panels in Toulon 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,660 kWh/m²/year (zone H3), generation 4,450 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~638 €/year. A complete guide for households in Toulon. | Read |
| 41 | Solar panels in Nîmes 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,610 kWh/m²/year (zone H3), generation 4,340 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~622 €/year. A complete guide for households in Nîmes. | Read |
| 42 | Solar panels in Aix-en-Provence 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,650 kWh/m²/year (zone H3), generation 4,500 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~645 €/year. A complete guide for households in Aix-en-Provence. | Read |
| 43 | Solar panels in Avignon 2026: prices, financial return and incentivesLOCAL | Sunshine 1,630 kWh/m²/year (zone H3), generation 4,460 kWh/year for 3 kWp, savings ~639 €/year. A complete guide for households in Avignon. | Read |
| 44 | Financial return of solar panels by city in France 2026FINANCIAL | A comparison of 23 major French cities: sunshine, generation, annual savings and payback period. Where does solar pay off the most? | Read |
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