Solar Panel Calculator for France
Rooftop solar in France is supported by a self-consumption premium and a feed-in obligation. This free solar calculator estimates your system size, payback and savings in euros using local rates and sun hours.
Calculate my solar payback in France →
Solar at a glance in France
The self-consumption premium plus reduced VAT keep payback reasonable despite moderate sun in the north.
| Currency | euros (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Typical electricity rate | € 0 per kWh |
| Installed cost | ≈ € 2 per watt |
| Peak sun hours | ≈ 3.6 hours/day |
| Export / buyback | ≈ € 0 per kWh |
Indicative 2026 starting points — every figure is editable in the calculator, and results depend on your own bill, roof and installer quotes.
A typical 5 kW system in France
At around € 2 per watt, a 5 kW rooftop system costs roughly € 8,000 and produces about 5,125 kWh in its first year at France's 3.6 peak sun hours a day. Your real numbers depend on your roof, shading, panel choice and how much power you use during the day — run your own figures in the calculator to see your exact payback, net savings and ROI.
How the solar calculator works
- Your setup. France and euros are pre-selected, with local electricity rate, install cost and sun hours filled in. Enter your monthly bill, or size the system from your appliances.
- Your roof. Search your address or tap “use my location”, then draw your roof on the satellite map — or just type its area. We check the system fits and read local sun hours from NASA data.
- Your results. Instantly see your payback period, net savings, ROI, system size, year-1 production and lifetime CO₂ offset — compare cash vs. a loan, and download a PDF report.
Common questions — solar in France
How many solar panels do I need in France?
It depends on your electricity use, roof space and local sun hours (about 3.6 peak sun hours/day here). A 5 kW system of high-wattage panels is a common starting point for a home — enter your bill or appliances and the calculator gives your exact panel count and system size.
Does France have net metering?
France uses a purchase obligation (obligation d'achat) — surplus is bought at a regulated rate while self-consumed power offsets retail price, rather than net metering. The calculator models the export rate as buyback.
Are there solar subsidies or incentives in France?
A self-consumption premium (prime à l'autoconsommation) is paid on eligible installs, plus reduced VAT on smaller systems. Enter any premium/rebate you qualify for.
How much does a solar system cost in France?
A typical 5 kW system is around € 8,000 at about € 2 per watt installed before the self-consumption premium. The calculator prices your own size.
Work out your system size
Not sure how big a system you need? These guides work back from your monthly usage:
500 kWh/month 1,000 kWh/month 1,500 kWh/month 2,000 kWh/month 2,500 kWh/month 3,000 kWh/month
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