Solar Panel ROI in France 2025: Costs, Incentives, and Best Regions

Installing solar panels in France can still be a smart move — but only under the right conditions. With falling buy-back tariffs, the return on investment (ROI) now depends heavily on system size, self-consumption rate, and where you live.

Solar panel installation costs in France 2025

Today, prices have stabilized at competitive levels:

• 3 kW solar system: around €2.00 per watt (~€6,000) if you shop around.

• 6 kW solar system: around €2.00 per watt (~€12,000 total).

• 9–12 kW solar systems: around €1.5–1.7 per watt (from €14,000 to €18,000).

Anything much higher than this should raise red flags. For real-world benchmarks, consult the Forum Photovoltaïque, where homeowners share recent quotes and installation experiences.

Government incentives for solar panels in France

In 2025, homeowners still benefit from:

• Autoconsumption government incentive: €80 per kWc up to 9 kW. That’s €240 for 3 kW, €480 for 6 kW, and €720 for 9 kW systems.

• Reduced VAT (5.5%) for eligible residential projects.

• Surplus electricity buy-back through EDF OA at €0.04/kWh for ≤9 kW systems.

While these supports help, the low surplus tariff means autoconsumption is the key to profitability.

ROI of solar panels in Normandie vs Hérault

Location makes all the difference. Let’s compare ROI for 3 kW, 6 kW, and 9 kW systems, assuming 75% self-consumption, €0.18/kWh avoided cost, and €0.04/kWh surplus sale.

Solar ROI in Normandie (northern France, ~1,100 kWh/kW/year)

• 3 kW → ~3,300 kWh/year → ~€468/year → 12.8 years payback (12.3 with government incentive).

• 6 kW → ~6,600 kWh/year → ~€936/year → 12.8 years payback (12.3 with government incentive).

• 9 kW → ~9,900 kWh/year → ~€1,404/year → 10.3 years payback (9.8 with government incentive).

Solar ROI in Hérault (southern France, ~1,400 kWh/kW/year)

• 3 kW → ~4,200 kWh/year → ~€596/year → 10.1 years payback (9.6 with government incentive).

• 6 kW → ~8,400 kWh/year → ~€1,192/year → 10.1 years payback (9.6 with government incentive).

• 9 kW → ~12,600 kWh/year → ~€1,788/year → 8 years payback (7.6 with government incentive).

Bottom line: In northern regions like Normandie or Bretagne, solar panels have moderate ROI with payback over a decade. In sunny southern regions such as Hérault or Var, payback can drop to 7–10 years, especially for larger systems. The best way to boost your payback period is to increase your auto-consumption. The more you consume yourself the better your return on investment becomes.

Are solar batteries worth it in France?

Adding a solar battery can raise your self-consumption, but at €700–1,000 per kWh of storage, the economics don’t work out for most households. Payback periods often exceed the battery’s lifetime. For now, batteries are more about energy independence than financial gain.

Alternatives if solar isn’t right for you

Not every home can host solar panels, and in some regions the ROI simply doesn’t add up. The good news? You can still save: by switching electricity suppliers, households can cut bills by up to 20% and even get a €65 cashback bonus with Primeo. Learn more here: Save 20% on Electricity in France with Primeo + €65 Bonus.

Final thoughts on solar panels in France

Solar panels in France are no longer a one-size-fits-all investment. In the north, ROI stretches beyond 12 years, making the decision more delicate unless you can ensure that you will utilize most of the electricity production of your system. By shopping around and sizing your system for >75% auto-consumption, you can secure a payback period of less than 10 years. In the south, strong sun makes solar financially compelling, with ROI under 10 years. In the south, by shopping around and ensuring >75% auto consumption, you can likely achieve less than an 8 year payback period.

Before you commit:

• Compare at least three local quotes.

• Maximize your self-consumption.

• Calculate your return based on your actual location, system size, and last 12 months electricity bills.

• Confirm how the different quotes calculate your return, you often see that they use different assumptions.

• Check out the Forum Photovoltaïque for local price feedback.

And if solar doesn’t suit your home, don’t miss out on electricity savings — switching providers remains one of the fastest ways to cut your energy costs in France, check out this offer to lower your electricity rates here: Save 20% on Electricity in France with Primeo + €65 Bonus