Solar self-consumption: the expert guide for businesses and communities
Self-consumption is now the leading connection mode for new rooftop PV in France and Europe. Driven by sustained TURPE grid-fee increases, the end of feed-in tariffs on residential >9 kWp, and the 2024 decree extending the collective self-consumption perimeter to 20 km in rural areas, it is reshaping site-direct PV economics. This guide covers individual and collective self-consumption, the PMO role, surplus calculations and VoltWatt's industrial-site case studies.
1. Individual vs collective self-consumption
Individual self-consumption is producer = consumer at the same site. No specific legal framework beyond the connection contract and surplus offtake. Dominant in tertiary, industrial and farm rooftops.
Collective self-consumption (OAC) shares: one or more producers feed multiple consumers within a geographic perimeter. A PMO signs the agreement with Enedis. Since the 5 October 2024 decree, perimeter extends to 2 km urban and 20 km rural (with public PMO).
2. Self-consumption economics
Avoided cost = energy commodity + TURPE share (40–55% of final price for industrial) + excise (~€21/MWh post 2026 EU harmonisation) + VAT. Often above €130–160/MWh — well above surplus tariff.
On a yellow-tariff industrial site, self-consuming 1 MWh from rooftop PV is worth €145/MWh vs €75/MWh for surplus — justifying high self-consumption sizing even at the cost of capped production.
3. PMO role in collective self-consumption
The PMO aggregates producers and consumers legally, signs Enedis agreement and shares energy under a declared key (equal, pro-rata consumption, pro-rata investment). In urban: condominium, syndicate, EPCI, energy cooperative. In extended rural (20 km): public/quasi-public PMO mandatory.
Sharing key declared annually, operational hourly. PMO fees €5–15 per participant per month. VoltWatt acts as PMO or partners (Enercoop, Plüm Énergie).
4. Sizing and self-consumption rate
Self-consumption rate (SCR = self-consumed/produced) should be maximised without oversizing PV. Tertiary (offices, retail): 55–70% SCR no battery. Industrial 24/7: 75–90%. Collective housing: 30–45%.
Adding 1–4h battery lifts SCR by 15–25pp. Tertiary 200 kWp + 100 kWh battery: 65% → 88%. Marginal economics worth it for highly diurnal sites with reliability needs.
5. VoltWatt cases
Three illustrative configurations.
Logistics platform 1.8 MWp
18,000 m² roof, yellow tariff. 1.8 MWp PV, no battery. SCR 72%, surplus 28%. Annual savings €220k, payback 6.9 years, IRR 14% over 25 years.
Business park collective self-consumption (15 companies)
1.4 km² perimeter, 8 roofs totalling 4.2 MWp, 15 consumers. PMO held by community of communes. Sharing 60% pro-rata investment, 40% equal. Average savings 18% of annual bill, no upfront cost (VoltWatt 18-year ESC contract).
24/7 industrial site (5 MWp + 2 MW BESS)
Continuous process, 28 GWh/year. 5 MWp PV + 2 MW / 4 MWh DC-coupled BESS. SCR 91%, savings €720k/year, payback 8.1 years.
Frequently asked questions on self-consumption
- Linky meter required?
- Yes for collective self-consumption. For individual, a bidirectional communicating meter is sufficient.
- How is surplus paid?
- S21 tariff revised quarterly (€60–95/MWh in 2026). 20-year contract with EDF OA or accredited buyer.
- Is the 20 km rural perimeter automatic?
- No. Requires public/quasi-public PMO, project of general interest, and prefectural notification. 4–6 months.
- Is a battery always profitable?
- Not in standard diurnal tertiary: SCR is already high. Profitable in 24/7 industrial, collective housing, or for demand response and capacity.
- Enedis role?
- Handles connection requests, signs the OAC agreement with the PMO, supplies hourly load curves. Typical lead time 6–12 months.
- Tax impact?
- Self-consumed energy is exempt from electricity excise and corresponding VAT. CAPEX VAT recoverable per company tax status.
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