Solar Market in France
Comprehensive overview of the solar sector, leading regions, incentives, and choosing an installer.
France is one of Europe's leading solar markets, ranked #4 in installed photovoltaic capacity at approximately 20 GW. PVFirms currently lists 215+ solar companies operating across France, covering residential, commercial, industrial, and utility-scale segments.
Market Size & Growth
France has installed approximately 20 GW of solar PV capacity, with annual additions accelerating due to electricity price volatility, EU climate targets, and corporate decarbonization commitments. The installed cost of residential solar typically ranges around €2200 per kW installed (excluding battery storage). Commercial and utility-scale projects benefit from significantly lower per-kW costs at scale.
France at a Glance
| Metric | France | Europe |
|---|---|---|
| Installed PV capacity | ~20 GW | #4 in Europe |
| Avg. residential cost | €2200/kW | EU range €1,100–2,400/kW |
| Companies listed | 215 | all categories |
| Key incentives | Prime à l'autoconsommation, Tarif d'achat | national schemes |
| Top solar regions | Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur | — |
Incentives & Support Schemes
- Prime à l'autoconsommation
- Tarif d'achat
- MaPrimeRénov'
Top Solar Regions in France
- Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Occitanie
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Common Use Cases
- Rooftop residential
- Agri-voltaic systems
- Commercial PV
- Floating solar
How to Choose a Solar Installer in France
- Verification status — PVFirms verifies business registration
- Local references — request 2-3 recent projects in your region
- Warranty terms — both product (10-25 years) and workmanship warranties
- After-sales support — monitoring services, maintenance, response times
- Permitting experience — particularly important in dense urban areas
- Insurance coverage — professional liability and product insurance
