Since 1 October 2025, the reduced VAT rate of 5.5% (previously 10% up to 3 kWp and 20% above) can apply in France to solar installations with an output not exceeding 9 kWp, installed on a new or existing home.
The conditions
The technical criteria were set by a ministerial order of 8 September 2025. Among other things, the panels must:
- have a carbon footprint below 530 kg CO2 eq./kWp;
- respect maximum contents of silver (under 14 mg/W), lead (under 0.1%) and cadmium (under 0.01%);
- be certified by an accredited body;
- be combined with an energy management system that tracks production and consumption in real time and controls usage to favour self-consumption.
Storage batteries are not covered by this reduced rate. The conditions, including any requirement for the installer to hold a qualification, may change with future finance acts: they are checked on the date of each quote.
What it means for your project
The applicable rate depends on the equipment chosen and on the rules in force on the date of the quote. During the study, we check with the partner installer that the proposed equipment (panels, energy manager) meets the criteria, and the quote clearly states the VAT rate applied. The energy management required by the scheme is also what lets you make better use of your own production.
More about self-consumption: produce, manage, store.