Installing solar panels in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is an excellent step towards reducing energy bills and contributing to the ecological transition. However, the initial cost can seem significant. Fortunately, schemes exist to help you. This article explores the available aid, whether regional, national, or local, to make your solar project more accessible. We will look at the options to support you in your endeavour, focusing on the specificities of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.
Key Points to Remember
- In Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, there are no direct regional grants for individuals wishing to install photovoltaic solar panels. You need to look at national grants.
- ADEME offers support for community photovoltaic projects, particularly for feasibility studies, but these grants are not intended for individuals.
- For thermal or hybrid solar panels (heating, hot water), grants exist but are also primarily intended for local authorities and businesses, not individuals.
- Individuals can benefit from national grants such as the self-consumption premium and a reduced VAT rate (10%) for small installations, as well as the purchase obligation to sell their surplus electricity.
- It is essential to use an RGE (Recognised Environmental Guarantor) certified installer to be eligible for most of the available financial aid.
Regional Schemes for Solar Panel Installation in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
The Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region is actively committed to the energy transition, which is reflected in several schemes aimed at encouraging the installation of solar panels. Although direct grants for individuals for photovoltaic systems are limited, the region focuses on supporting collective projects and community initiatives. The objective is to promote local renewable energy production and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. It is important to note that the region also supports thermal and hybrid solar panels, which contribute to heating and domestic hot water production.
The Ecological Transition Agency (ADEME) offers specific support for large-scale collective photovoltaic projects. These grants are not direct subsidies for equipment purchase, but rather support for project structuring and feasibility. This is valuable assistance for local authorities, associations, citizen cooperatives, and businesses wishing to undertake significant solar projects.
Support for Technical-Economic Feasibility Studies
For community photovoltaic projects, ADEME can fund feasibility studies. These studies assess the technical and economic viability of a solar installation, estimate its profitability, and identify any potential obstacles. This is a key step to secure the investment and ensure the project’s relevance before its launch. This type of support is particularly useful for projects aiming to produce electricity for a group of users or for resale.
Specific Conditions for Community Rooftop Projects
ADEME’s support for technical-economic feasibility studies is subject to certain conditions. It primarily concerns community photovoltaic projects installed on rooftops. Furthermore, a minimum power of 36 kWp and a surface area greater than 200 m² are generally required to be eligible for this support. These criteria aim to focus aid on projects of a certain size, capable of having a significant impact on local renewable energy production. The Green Fund can also be a source of funding for large-scale local projects aimed at ecological transition.
The Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region pays particular attention to thermal and hybrid solar panels, which play an important role in domestic hot water production and building heating. Aid schemes are in place to encourage their adoption.
Investment and Project Study Aid
The region offers financial aid to support investment in thermal or hybrid solar systems. These grants can cover part of the acquisition and installation costs, making these technologies more accessible. The aid can also cover the preliminary studies necessary for project design, to ensure optimal installation tailored to needs.
Eligible Projects: Heating and Domestic Hot Water
Regional grants are specifically intended for thermal or hybrid solar panel installations whose main objective is the production of domestic hot water and/or space heating. This includes individual houses, collective buildings, as well as tertiary and industrial buildings. The focus is on solutions that directly contribute to reducing fossil fuel consumption for thermal comfort.
Beneficiaries of Thermal and Hybrid Grants
These grants are primarily aimed at local and territorial authorities, public establishments, energy syndicates, as well as businesses and associations involved in energy renovation or sustainable construction projects. Individuals are generally not direct beneficiaries of these specific regional grants for thermal and hybrid systems, but they can benefit from indirect spin-offs via projects led by local structures.
It is important to note that the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region does not offer direct financial aid schemes for the installation of photovoltaic solar panels intended for individuals. This absence of direct regional aid does not signify a lack of interest in photovoltaics, but rather an orientation towards other levers of support.
Orientation Towards National and Local Grants
For individuals wishing to install photovoltaic solar panels, it is advisable to turn to available national grants, such as the self-consumption premium or the guaranteed purchase tariff. Furthermore, some local authorities (municipalities, inter-municipalities) may offer specific grants. It is therefore recommended to inquire with your local council or inter-municipal community to find out about local schemes.
Regional Support for Community Projects
Although direct grants for individuals are absent, the region maintains support for large-scale collective photovoltaic projects. As mentioned previously, ADEME, in partnership with the region, supports community projects. This demonstrates a desire to support the development of solar energy, but by prioritising initiatives that have a collective dimension or a broader territorial impact. The region is part of a national dynamic aimed at developing solar energy production, as shown by the Solar Pact.
Regional Support for Thermal and Hybrid Solar Panels
The Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region is implementing specific schemes to encourage the adoption of thermal and hybrid solar panels. These technologies, which go beyond simple electricity production, aim to cover your heating and domestic hot water needs, while also being able to generate electricity in the case of hybrid systems.
Investment and Project Study Aid
The region, through partners such as ADEME, offers financial support for thermal and hybrid solar projects. This aid can cover part of the costs related to the technical-economic feasibility study of your project. This is to ensure that the installation is viable and profitable before committing. The objective is to support you from the initial stages, from design to planning, for successful implementation. It is important to note that these grants are often conditional on the completion of in-depth preliminary studies, allowing the technical and economic relevance of the installation to be validated. These schemes aim to reduce the initial financial risk for project developers.
Eligible Projects: Heating and Domestic Hot Water
Regional grants focus on thermal and hybrid solar systems whose primary function is to produce heat. This includes installations intended for heating your home, whether it’s a water-based central heating system or underfloor heating. Similarly, the production of domestic hot water (DHW) by solar energy is a key eligibility criterion. Hybrid systems, which combine heat and electricity production, are also covered. The emphasis is on solutions that directly contribute to reducing your energy consumption for thermal comfort. For more detailed information on the required technical specifications, it is advisable to consult the official regional documents or contact France Rénov’ advisors.
Beneficiaries of Thermal and Hybrid Grants
It is important to understand that these regional grants specific to thermal and hybrid solar panels are generally not intended for individuals. They primarily target local authorities and their groupings, public establishments, energy syndicates, as well as businesses and associations. The objective is to support large-scale projects or collective initiatives that contribute to the energy transition on a broader scale. Individuals wishing to install thermal or hybrid solar panels will need to turn to other support schemes, particularly national grants such as the Energy Savings Certificates (CEE) scheme or local grants specific to their area. It is also possible to benefit from an interest-free eco-loan to finance these installations, an advantageous loan for hybrid solar panels.
The regional aid’s focus on collective structures highlights a strategy for larger-scale deployment of thermal and hybrid solar, thereby favouring projects with a significant impact on the regional energy transition.
Absence of Direct Regional Grants for Individuals for Photovoltaics
It is important to note that the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region does not offer direct financial aid for individuals wishing to install photovoltaic solar panels. This situation, although potentially disappointing, is not unique to this region and encourages individuals to explore other avenues to finance their project.
Orientation Towards National and Local Grants
Given this absence of specific regional support, residents of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté must turn to schemes implemented at the national level. These grants aim to encourage the development of solar energy for all. It is also advisable to inquire with your local council or county, as some local authorities may offer targeted subsidies, even if they are less common for photovoltaics.
- Self-consumption premium: State aid for self-consumption installations with surplus sales.
- Purchase obligation: Guarantee of repurchase of electricity produced by a designated body, offering financial security.
- Reduced VAT rate: Favourable taxation for small-capacity installations.
Regional Support for Community Projects
Although direct financial aid for individuals is absent, the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region supports large-scale collective photovoltaic projects. These support schemes aim to facilitate the implementation of community, cooperative, or associative projects. The objective is to encourage citizen involvement in the energy transition.
The absence of direct regional aid for individuals for photovoltaics encourages a more in-depth search for national and local schemes, while highlighting the region’s support for collective initiatives.
For community projects, the region can offer support in various forms, including:
- Aid for the technical-economic feasibility of projects.
- Advice on legal structuring and governance.
- Support for consultation and citizen involvement processes.
These services are particularly relevant for projects of a certain size, often on rooftops and exceeding a minimum power of 36 kWp. It is therefore recommended to clearly define the nature of your project to know what type of support to seek. For a broader overview of available aid, consulting information on the purchase obligation can be useful.
National Grants for Solar Self-Consumption
For those considering producing their own electricity from the sun, the State has put in place schemes to encourage self-consumption. This primarily involves financial aid aimed at reducing the initial cost of your photovoltaic installation. The idea is simple: you consume part of the electricity you produce, and the surplus is sold. This is a meaningful approach, both for your wallet and for the environment.
The Photovoltaic Self-Consumption Premium
This premium is an investment aid. Its amount directly depends on the power of your solar installation. It is designed to accelerate the return on investment of your project. The amounts are revised periodically, so it is always good to check the current figures.
Here is an overview of the amounts, which may vary:
| Installation Power | Premium Amount per kWp |
|---|---|
| 0 to 3 kWp | €80/kWp |
| 3 to 9 kWp | €80/kWp |
| 9 to 36 kWp | €190/kWp |
| 36 to 100 kWp | €100/kWp |
Eligibility Conditions and Premium Payment
To be eligible for this premium, several conditions must be met. Your installation must be configured for self-consumption with resale of surplus electricity. Furthermore, the installation must be carried out by an RGE (Recognised Environmental Guarantor) certified professional. This is a guarantee of quality and compliance with standards. The installation must also be on your roof. The maximum power of the installation must not exceed 100 kWp.
The premium is generally paid in several instalments. For low-power installations (up to 9 kWp), it is paid in a single lump sum after the first year of operation. For larger installations, a portion is paid in the first year, then the remainder is spread over the following four years. This is a significant boost to make your solar project more accessible. Remember to inquire about the procedures with the competent bodies, such as EDF OA for surplus resale.
Tax Advantages for Solar Panel Installation
The installation of solar panels can come with attractive tax advantages, easing the initial cost of your project. These schemes aim to encourage the adoption of renewable energies by individuals and professionals.
Reduced VAT Rate for Small-Capacity Installations
For photovoltaic installations with a power output of less than 3 kWp, a reduced VAT rate is applied. It thus decreases from 20% to 10%. This measure significantly reduces the total cost of your equipment. It applies to homes built more than two years ago and covers both materials and installation. It is important to check that your installer correctly applies this reduced rate when invoicing.
Conditions for Applying the Reduced Rate
- The installation must be carried out by an RGE (Recognised Environmental Guarantor) certified professional.
- The installation’s power must not exceed 3 kWp.
- The dwelling must have been completed for at least two years.
- The installation must be intended for a primary or secondary residence.
It should be noted that income generated from the sale of electricity produced by an installation of less than 3 kWp is declarable but not taxable, which represents an additional tax advantage for small systems with a power output of less than 3 kWp.
Tax optimisation is an important component in the decision to invest in solar. Learning about the various grants and schemes makes the project more accessible and profitable in the long term.
Purchase Obligation for Solar Electricity
When solar panels are installed, electricity is produced. A portion can be consumed directly, but there is often a surplus. This is where the purchase obligation comes in. This system, managed in France by EDF OA, allows this unconsumed electricity to be sold at a tariff set by public authorities. This is a guarantee that helps to make the initial investment profitable in the long term.
Guarantee of Repurchase of Produced Electricity
The idea behind the purchase obligation is simple: you produce green electricity, and someone commits to buying it back from you. This repurchase contract is generally concluded for a period of 20 years. This provides significant financial security for owners embarking on photovoltaics. This mechanism is essential to encourage the development of renewable energies in France. It helps to smooth out production variations due to weather and ensure a regular income.
Criteria Influencing Repurchase Tariffs
The tariffs at which your electricity will be repurchased are not chosen at random. They are revised periodically and depend on several important factors:
- The power of your installation: The more powerful your installation, the more the tariff may differ. Small-scale installations, typical for individuals, have specific tariffs.
- The commissioning date: Tariffs evolve over time, so the date your installation starts producing matters.
- The type of sale chosen: You can choose to sell all of your production or only the unconsumed surplus. The tariffs are not the same in both cases.
- The location of the installation: Although less decisive, the region can sometimes have a slight influence.
Conditions for Benefiting from the Purchase Obligation
To be eligible for this repurchase system, your installation must meet certain criteria. It is not enough to simply have solar panels. Here are the key points to respect:
- Maximum power: The installation must generally not exceed a certain power, often set at 100 kWp for residential installations and up to 500 kWp for larger projects. It is important to check current thresholds.
- Installation by a certified professional: To guarantee quality and safety, the panels must be installed by a qualified installer, often recognised as an environmental guarantor (RGE). This is an almost systematic condition for accessing grants and the purchase obligation.
- Type of installation: The panels must be installed on a roof, but other configurations such as canopies, cladding, or railings may also be eligible under certain conditions.
The purchase obligation is a pillar of support for solar energy in France, offering visibility on the potential income from your photovoltaic installation. It is advisable to fully understand the terms of the contract before committing.
For more details on procedures and contracts, you can consult information relating to the purchase obligation.
The Role of Local Authorities in Solar Support
Local authorities, whether regions, departments, or municipalities, play a significant role in supporting solar projects. Although Bourgogne-Franche-Comté focuses on specific aid schemes, it is important to understand that the landscape of subsidies can vary considerably from one territory to another in France.
Availability of Specific Aid by Territory
Each local authority defines its own environmental policies and allocates budgets accordingly. This means that the aid available for solar panel installation is not uniform across the entire national territory. For example, some regions may offer direct investment aid for individuals, while others focus more on supporting collective projects or businesses. It is therefore essential to inquire with your own local authority to find out about the schemes in force.
- Regions can offer targeted subsidies.
- Departments may have specific aid programmes.
- Municipalities can offer tax exemptions or local aid.
Variability of Local Subsidies
The nature and amount of local subsidies vary greatly. Some aid may be fixed, others proportional to the cost of the installation, or capped according to the installation’s power. It is not uncommon to see aid intended for specific audiences, such as farmers, businesses, or community projects. For individuals in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, the absence of direct regional aid for photovoltaics means that one must carefully explore the aid offered by municipalities or inter-municipalities, which can sometimes offer interesting schemes for self-consumption. It is also possible to benefit from an early connection to speed up the commissioning of your installation.
It is essential to consult the dedicated services of your local council or inter-municipal community to obtain precise information on available local aid. These schemes are often little known but can represent a significant part of the financing of your solar project.
Importance of RGE Certification for Grants
To be eligible for most financial aid intended for solar panel installation, one step is absolutely essential: using an RGE certified professional. This designation, which stands for ‘Recognised Environmental Guarantor’, is a true guarantee of quality and reliability.
Requirement for an RGE Certified Installer
RGE certification is not a mere formality. It certifies that the company carrying out your work complies with strict quality criteria regarding energy performance and installation. For regional and national aid schemes, it is often a prerequisite. Without an RGE tradesperson, your aid application file risks being simply rejected. It is therefore essential to check this point even before starting your procedures. You can find the list of certified professionals on dedicated platforms, such as that of the government.
Quality Guarantee and Eligibility for Grants
Choosing an RGE installer means ensuring that the work will be carried out to the highest standards. This concerns not only the performance of your solar installation but also its safety. A poorly executed installation can lead to efficiency problems, or even risks to your home. Furthermore, this certification is often the key to accessing substantial financial aid, such as the self-consumption premium or guaranteed purchase tariffs for electricity injected into the grid. For example, the QualiPV 500 label is a specific certification for photovoltaic installers that facilitates access to these grants QualiPV 500.
It is important to understand that RGE certification aims to protect the consumer while encouraging sustainable and high-performing installation practices. It ensures a certain uniformity in the quality of work carried out across the territory.
Regional Energy Objectives and the Role of Solar
The Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region has set ambitious targets for reducing its energy consumption and CO2 emissions. A significant part of this strategy relies on improving the energy efficiency of buildings, as the residential sector is a major energy consumer in the region. The idea is to tackle the least efficient buildings, often called « thermal sieves », by encouraging energy renovation work to reduce household energy consumption.
In this context, the installation of photovoltaic solar panels appears as a key solution. These systems offer a dual opportunity: to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and to actively participate in the reduction of greenhouse gases. Solar panels not only allow for a certain energy autonomy by producing renewable electricity on-site, but also contribute concretely to the region’s energy transition. By adopting solar energy, homeowners can transform their dwellings into sources of clean energy, thus marking an important step towards achieving the energy and environmental objectives set in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. This is a meaningful approach for the future.
Energy Consumption Reduction Strategy
The region is actively committed to reducing its overall energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The focus is on improving the energy performance of buildings, which represent a significant portion of regional energy consumption. The objective is to renovate the least efficient homes to reduce their consumption.
Contribution of Solar Panels to the Energy Transition
The installation of photovoltaic solar panels is an essential component of this transition. These systems allow for the production of renewable electricity directly at the point of consumption, thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuels. They contribute directly to the reduction of CO2 emissions and the achievement of the region’s climate objectives. This is a concrete way to participate in a more sustainable future. To assist you in your efforts, you can consult the grants for solar projects.
Here are the main advantages of solar energy in this context:
- Reduction of household energy bills.
- Decrease in carbon footprint.
- Contribution to energy independence.
- Enhancement of property value.
Combining Grants to Optimise Solar Investment
Installing solar panels represents a significant initial investment. Fortunately, it is often possible to combine several aid schemes to significantly reduce the cost. This approach makes the project more accessible and accelerates the return on investment. It is important to be well-informed about the conditions of each grant to maximise the benefits.
Possibility of Combining Different Subsidies
The Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, like other regions, offers grants that can be combined with national schemes. For example, a regional grant for investment in thermal solar panels could be supplemented by national grants such as MaPrimeRénov’ if the project is part of a global energy renovation approach. Similarly, the self-consumption premium, a national grant, can be combined with other local or departmental schemes, if they exist and if the conditions are met. It is therefore essential to check the compatibility of the grants with each other.
Significant Reduction in the Initial Cost of Installation
By judiciously combining the various available subsidies, the remaining cost for the individual or the community can be considerably lightened. This makes solar panel installation more attractive, even for tighter budgets. For example, a regional grant for a feasibility study, coupled with a national premium for self-consumption and potentially an interest-free eco-loan, can transform an ambitious project into a financially viable reality. National grants, such as the self-consumption premium, are designed to encourage the adoption of solar energy for installations up to 100 kWp. It should also be noted that the reduced VAT applies to all works, further reducing the final bill.
Here is an overview of potentially combinable grants:
- Regional grants: Investment support, project study support, or specific premiums.
- National grants: Self-consumption premium, MaPrimeRénov’, interest-free eco-loan.
- Local grants: Subsidies offered by departments or municipalities.
- Tax advantages: Reduced VAT.
The strategy of combining grants requires rigorous planning and a good knowledge of the schemes. It is recommended to contact France Rénov’ advisors or the region’s dedicated services for personalised support and to ensure nothing is missed.
Did you know that you can combine several grants to make your solar project even more profitable? It’s an excellent way to make money work for you and reduce your initial investment. To find out how to maximise your savings and get all the details on available grants, visit our website today!
In Summary: What You Need to Remember for Your Solar Panels in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
To put it simply, if you are an individual in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and you want to install photovoltaic solar panels, direct regional grants are quite limited. We’ve seen that the region and ADEME mainly focus on collective projects, which are a bit larger, or on thermal solar. This means you primarily need to look at national grants. The self-consumption premium and reduced VAT can help lower the bill. And don’t forget to check if you can combine these grants with those from your local council or county; it can sometimes make a difference. The best thing to do is to get well-informed before starting, because conditions change and every project is a little different.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grants does the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region offer for solar panels?
The Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region does not offer direct grants for individuals wishing to install solar panels to produce electricity (photovoltaic). However, it can provide financial support for so-called ‘community’ projects that are larger, such as those by associations or cooperatives. For solar panels used for heating water or homes (thermal or hybrid), grants exist, but they are mainly intended for local authorities or businesses, not directly for individuals.
Can I get government grants for my solar panels in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté?
Yes, absolutely! Even if the region doesn’t directly help individuals with photovoltaics, you can benefit from national grants. The most well-known is the ‘self-consumption premium’. There are also tax advantages, such as a reduced VAT rate for small installations. These grants are there to help you pay for part of the work.
How does the self-consumption premium work?
This premium is given when you consume the electricity your solar panels produce yourself. If you produce more electricity than you consume, the surplus is sold, and this premium helps you make your installation profitable. The amount of the premium depends on the power of your panels. It is paid by EDF, usually in a single lump sum.
What is the purchase obligation and how does it work?
The purchase obligation is a system where EDF commits to buying back the electricity you produce with your solar panels. They buy it back from you at a pre-set price for a period of 20 years. This price changes slightly every quarter. It’s a good guarantee to ensure you sell your surplus electricity at a fair price.
Is it absolutely necessary to use an RGE certified tradesperson?
Yes, it’s very important! To be eligible for most financial grants, whether from the State or sometimes from local authorities, it is mandatory to have your solar panels installed by a professional who has RGE (Recognised Environmental Guarantor) certification. This proves that the tradesperson is competent and that the installation will be of good quality.
Can I combine different grants to pay for my solar panels?
Absolutely! It’s often even advisable to maximise the reduction in the cost of your installation. You can generally combine the self-consumption premium with other grants, such as tax advantages or sometimes local grants if your local council or county offers them. You need to carefully check the conditions of each grant to ensure they are compatible.
Do solar panels increase the value of my house in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté?
Yes, installing solar panels can make your house more attractive and increase its value. It’s a selling point because it means lower electricity bills for the future owner and an ecological gesture. It is estimated that it can increase the value of your home by 15% to 25%.
Where can I find information on local grants in my municipality or county?
Local grants can vary greatly from one place to another. The best way is to inquire directly with your local council, your county council, or consult websites dedicated to energy and renovation in your area. Organisations like ADIL (Departmental Housing Information Agency) or France Rénov’ can also guide you.
