6 tools to calculate its solar production

A table summarizes the characteristics of the installation. And the table below presents the solar energy received by the sensors, the electricity produced by the system in a monthly and annual way. It is possible to receive these results by email.

4 points to estimate the profitability of your solar panels

You wish install Photovoltaic panels ? Now is the perfect time for calculate there profitability of your solar project ! Evaluation, optimization and advice, we answer all your questions !

• The profitability of a photovoltaic installation project varies according to several criteria.
• We can cite among others the amount of your initial investment, there production of your panels (directly related to thetilt and theorientation) or your injection choice (self -consumption Or Total/partial resale)).
• Each project is unique: it is essential to Combine all criteria For Evaluate profitability of a solar project.
• A photovoltaic installation can be amortized between 8 and 12 years old. This corresponds to a annual profitability rate of almost 10 %.

First factor: the price of a photovoltaic installation

The reasons for go to renewable energies and D’install solar panels are multiple and more and more obvious. However, despite the multiplication of favorable opinion, there profitability a photovoltaic project must also be considered before launching.

To calculate your Photovoltaic profitability, and know how long costs initially committed will be amortized, different factors must be taken into account. Zoom on the main.

Back on the advantages of photovoltaics

What is the price of an installation of photovoltaic solar panels ?

To calculate the profitability of your solar panels, you must of course take into account the amount of this investment. Although the prices of solar panels fell from 73 % in 10 years, the sum to be paid for a solar installation remains substantial. To estimate the cost of his project, several factors must be taken into account:

• there installation power (in KWC), itself defined according to energy needs and the surface of the accommodation (100 m², 150 m², 200 m², etc.);
• there technology used (monocrystalline or polycrystalline panels much rarer today) and the Module performance level ;
• THE inverter type (microphone or central inverter);
• THE degree of difficulty linked to the work : integration into the building (IAB) being for example more expensive than an overprinting installation. The IAB is however less and less practiced;
• of your blanket : some materials like the slate are more difficult to work;
• of the Electric network configuration : distance from the counter for electrical connection work, counter inside the house or in the property limit;
• of the Wiring configuration : aerial or trench connection to dig;
• of the Height of your roof : safety on the site are not the same if you work high height.

By considering that the price varies according to all these variables, we can still give the indicative price following:

Price (excluding premiums)

Between 8,000 and 11,000 €

Between 11,000 and 17,000 €

Between 16,000 and 23,000 €

Calculate profitability

Find out how many years will be necessary for your photovoltaic project to be profitable.

Other costs to be expected

On the sidelines of the cost of the installation and its forecast yields, there are certain costs to be included in the calculation of your photovoltaic profitability.

Turpe

THE Turp (Price for using public electricity networks) is a use tax which you must pay each year and which allows to pay network managers like Enedis, RTE or local agencies.

Depending on whether you choose self -consumption with the sale of the surplus or the total sale of your solar energy production, the amount of the Turpe will not be the same.

Power installation type ≤ 36 kWc

Amount of the Turpe HT on August 1, 2022

Self -consumption with sale of surplus

The renewal of the inverter

Even if the lifespan of a solar panel is on average estimated at 30 years, It does not mean that it applies to all the components of the latter.

L’inverter is an important element of your photovoltaic kit. It is him who converts the direct current Produced by your solar panels alternating that you can then use for feed your electrical devices and/or refer to the network. There are two different inverters:

• L’chain inverter : Responsible for your entire photovoltaic installation, it will be necessary to replace it after ten years of use. Depending on its power, its Price varies between 1,000 and 2,000 € ;
• THE microwave : independent and placed under each panel of your installation, they are guaranteed for 20 years. No need to plan for their replacement.

Should we invest in a solar battery ?

Despite the continuous improvement made within the solar sector, it is still today not recommended to invest in a storage battery For your future photovoltaic equipment.

Indeed, the batteries are still overly expensive and not efficient To allow you to save energy. In fact of their lifetime (about 10 years), it remains above all a solution reserved for Autonomous houses Located in isolated sites.

Second factor: estimate the production volume of your solar panels

Technology and performance

To estimate the profitability of your solar project, the price is of course a determining factor. However, it is not enough. Indeed, each solar installation is unique and must meet precise energy needs.

To assess the profitability of your solar panels, you should make theProduction volume estimate. The production of a solar panel depends on the factors intrinsic to the module and external factors:

First, the amount of electricity produced by a panel depends directly on its efficiency. THE yield varies depending on Photovoltaic cell technology your panel and propensity of the module to convert the sun’s rays to electricity.

For Measure the production capacities of a photovoltaic panel, We commonly use the kwc (Kilowatt-crew). This measure corresponds to the Power provided by an installation in ideal sunshine conditions (1000 W/m²).

Sunshine, inclination and orientation

Then it is obvious that the same photovoltaic panel will not have the same production if it is installed in the south or northern France. So you have to take into account the sunshine rate installation, but also its orientation and his tilt. Oriented south and with an optimal inclination (around 35 °), a solar module will obviously be more effective.

Accelerate the profitability of an installation with state aid

To encourage individuals to install solar panels, theState has set up a financial aid system. These aids help to lighten the initial investment and/or generate income through energy production. We can cite the self -consumption bonus, THE EDF purchase buying rates (EDF OA) or Maprimerenov ’ to hybrid installations.

Third factor: consume and/or sell its production ?

From now on, you must make your choice between three different uses of your solar electricity production. This has an important place in the calculation of the profitability of your installation, because not all of them are equal according to your situation. For example, we will prefer the Total sale for a hangar and theTotal self -consumption for a solar kit 3 kWc For example.

Total and partial photovoltaic self -consumption

You can today directly consume the solar energy you produce Thanks to your installation. This is called theself -consumption. In this case, you consume all or only part of what your photovoltaic panels produce.

If you opt for thetotal self -consumption, It will be necessary to invest in a storage battery If your accommodation is on isolated site. Let’s focus here on theself -consumption with sale of surplus, which is the most profitable solution. The surplus of your production is RPurchased directly to EDF Purchase obligation and returned to the public electricity network.

This consumption mode allows you to make Significant savings on your electricity bill, insofar as you Depends less on the public network, all in valuing the surplus of your production Thanks to its acquisition by EDF OA.

Finally, for the production that you consume yourself, it comes Reduce your bills while being valued at the price of kWh TTC saved, Either if you are at EDF (price at August 1, 2022) in 9 KVA ::

• € 0.174/kWh If you have a subscription Base ;
• € 0.1841/kWh in full hours (there is generally little solar production in off -peak hours, usually located at night).

To maximize your profitability, it is therefore essential to consume maximum electricity when your panels produce !

Total sale of solar electricity production

It’s the Historic consumption mode Users of photovoltaic solar panels. When you make the total resale of your solar production, you do not consume what you produce but you Sell ​​all to EDF OA Solar at a price that evolves every quarter.

Until 2017, individuals who carried out photovoltaic systems for total sale and who made the choice to integrate the panels into their roof benefited from a better price for buying their electricity by EDF OA Solar.

The decree of May 9, 2017 ended this premium and the buyout rate is now the same regardless of the installation mode of your photovoltaic panels. In addition, it is impossible to benefit from the premium for self -consumption in this configuration.

You are looking for a green solution For heat your accommodation ? Photovoltaic panels are not the only solution ! THE solar thermal panels produce heat for your interior !

You wish Combine electricity and production of domestic hot water ? Discover the Hybrid solar panels !

Fourth factor: reduce your investment thanks to the installation of photovoltaic panels

For improve profitability From a solar installation, the state offers two support devices for photovoltaic panels: the Self -consumption premium and theBuying obligation. Discover the applied prices here.

Self -consumption bonus

There self -consumption premium is investment assistance for individuals and professionals who wish to invest in equipment of a power less than 100 kWh. In addition, the installation must be carried out by a RGE installer on roof (or equivalent: roof, garage, shelter). Floor panels cannot therefore benefit from the premium.

This bonus, paid annually during 5 years By EDF OA, greatly improves the profitability of the investment. It only concerns photovoltaic installations that choose theself -consumption with sale of surplus.

Self -consumption premium

> 100 and ≤ 500 kWc

Applied prices of 1 er May 2023 to July 31, 2023 (6 e quarter of the “S21” price decree), pending the publication of the rates of 7 e S21 price quarter (1 er August 2023 to October 31, 2023) by the CRE (Energy Regulatory Commission)

Research rate subsidized by EDF OA

THE Electricity repurchase rate for self -consumption with resale of the surplus was set by the decree of May 9, 2017 at € 0.10/kWh For a power of less than 9 kWc.

Since theOrder of February 8, 2023, The sale rate for self -consumption facilities with sale of the surplus will evolve each quarter (but will remain fixed once the contract is started), recalculated according to 7 indices including inflation in particular.

If you install your solar panels during the current quarter, your CONTRACT binding you to EDF OA extends over a duration of 20 years at the following prices:

EDF OA purchase rates

Sale of surplus

EDF OA purchase rates

> 100 and ≤ 500 kWc

Applied prices of 1 er May 2023 to July 31, 2023 (6 e quarter of the “S21” price decree), pending the publication of the rates of 7 e S21 price quarter (1 er August 2023 to October 31, 2023) by the CRE (Energy Regulatory Commission)

*The final prices will be known 6 months after the start of the price quarter, when the coefficient is published K_N+2

What is the profitability of an installation of solar panels ?

If your solar project is properly dimensioned, the Profitability of your photovoltaic installation can be reached between 8 and 12 years old for an installation of a power less than or equal to 9 kWc in self -consumption with sale of the surplus. Note that the minimum lifespan solar panels is estimated at 30 years. We estimate the Annual profitability rate of a solar project between 8 and 12 %.

Please note, the damage to profitability for a project of solar photovoltaic panels depends on several factors. Among other things, we can mention the Solid panel yield, who himself is influenced by the modules power, of the installation conditions (on roof or on the ground, orientation and inclination, etc.) or the sunshine rate of your region.

The achievement of return on investment also depends on initial investment as well as your Choice of solar energy consumption (total, partial self -consumption or total sale of solar energy) or interview costs (Turpe, change in the inverter, etc.)).

Solar panel simulation: examples of profitability

Now that you know more about the elements that influence the profitability of your solar project, We offer you two simulations household situations wishing to install photovoltaic solar panels on their roof.

As a reminder, in France, the profitability of the Photovoltaic solar panels is reached between 8 and 12 years old And they have a 30 -year lifespan. This means that you can benefit from a free energy for at least 20 years !

Photovoltaic profitability in self -consumption

To better realize the Profitability of a solar kit, It may be interesting to take into account the Profitability of a solar panel per m². Let us establish a profitability simulation for:

• A single-storey house located in Grenoble of 120 m²;
• powered by electricity;
• Only and inhabited by 2 adults and 2 children;
• whose annual energy consumption of this household is 12,000 kWh for an invoice of around € 1,800;
• And the roof of their house is north-south oriented and tilted at 30 °.

Installation power

Installation price

Amount of the premium

Production of solar panels over 25 years

Cost of electricity produced

Initial investment reimbursed in

Total income over 25 years

* Complete connection request filed during the third pricing quarter (08/01/22 to 21/10/22)

Simulation of the profitability of photovoltaic panels for total sale

Let us now establish a profitability simulation for:

• A house located in Grenoble of 120 m², on one level;
• inhabited by 2 adults and 2 children;
• whose needs for domestic hot water are covered by a thermodynamic balloon and heating by a wood pellet boiler. The kitchen, on the other hand, is on gas;
• The electricity consumption of this household is around 5,000 kWh per year for an invoice amounting to around € 800;
• The roof is oriented north-south and tilted at 30 °.

In this configuration, the profitability estimate will be as follows:

Installation power

Building integration

Installation price

Production of solar panels over 20 years

Cost of electricity produced

Initial investment reimbursed in

Total income over 25 years

On total sale, we favor a power of installation greater than that which one would choose in self -consumption with sale of surplus. In the latter case, we do not equip the entire roof, because the idea is to Maximize the share of electricity consumed thereby Minimize the share sent to the network.

On the contrary, in the case of total sale, we are in a logic of Pure profitability. So, The higher the installation, the more profitable your investment will be.

Need a hand ?

Get into a solar project is not always easy. And if you were doing to accompany by a photovoltaic expert ? By contacting our advisers, You can benefit from a supported of your project and that free ! They are reachable at 09 71 07 07 40 (Service and free call) of Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

How to optimize the profitability of its photovoltaic installation ?

The choice of solar installer

To have a photovoltaic system with the best possible profitability, it is advisable to dwell on the different determining factors that we have mentioned. By finding theInstallation with the best value for money and in the dimensioning According to his needs, theinitial investment is more likely to be quickly amortized.

To have the best solar panels set up given your budget, of yours needs and some configuration of your accommodation, It is essential to call on a Qualified installer and labeled RGE (Recognized guarantor of the environment).

A competent craftsman will thus take the time to perform a prior technical study to determine the power, but also the Type of solar panels you need. Thanks to the quote, you can know the price of the installation as well as its technical characteristics.

To find a RGE installer near you, you can Contact our solar experts : you will be able to benefit from a free personalized quote according to your needs and your budget.

The maintenance of the solar installation

Once your installation is installed, you can also carry out some small operations to improve the performance and therefore the profitability of your installation. The maintenance of solar panels can thus optimize your electricity production.

To do this, you need Clean the surface of the panels To make sure that nothing prevents sunlight from reaching photovoltaic cells (dust, leaves, sand, etc.)). Only an annual cleaning is required for the proper functioning of your solar panels. To do this, rinse them with clear water and do not hesitate to dry them with a telescopic broom.

Generally, It doesn’t really need to clean your panels, The rain alone is responsible for eliminating almost all of the residues on your panels. Make sure you only regularly control their appearance and in case of doubt, contact your installer.

L’central inverter (not to be confused with micro-lights) must also be subject to a regular dusting and an operating control by verifying light witnesses for example. Feel free to ventilate regularly the room where your inverter is located.

FAQ: your questions about the profitability of a solar panel installation

How to calculate the profitability of my solar installation ?

First, the profitability of a solar installation is reached when the Economies generated (by theself -consumption or the Electricity sale to a supplier)) exceed the initial investment.

To calculate the profitability of a self -consumption system with sale of the surplus, and thus know the number of years necessary to reimburse the initial investment, it is necessary to take into account:

• THE cost and the installation mode ;
• L’Production estimate over 25 years ;
• there annual consumption fireplace ;
• THE aid state (premium for self -consumption and purchase contract);
• and the additional costs (Turpe, maintenance costs, inverter renewal, etc.)).

In total sales situations, do not hesitate to estimate your production over 20 years to find out all the income that you will generate throughout your contract with EDF OA solar.

What is the cost of a solar installation ?

To determine the cost of the most precise investment as possible, an installation of photovoltaic panels, several criteria must be taken into account. This includes among others:

• there power installation (the more important it is, the more its price is climbing);
• The Tpanel retained (technology, brand, etc.);
• there configuration of your roof (inclination, orientation, coating, etc.);
• of Integration type (on the ground, superimposed or integrated into the frame);
• of Rising of the workforce (accessibility to the site, etc.)).

The average price of an installation of 3 kWc is around € 8,000. Do not wait any longer to contact our advisers and find the cheapest solar panels in your region in a few clicks !

How to estimate the production of its installation ?

The estimation of the production of your solar panels is an important element for calculating the profitability of your installation. This implies taking into account all of the following factors:

• there Installed peak power : This measure indicates the maximum quantity of photovoltaic production in the best conditions of sunshine on the basis of 1 kWc (kilowatt crest) = 1000 kWh/year;
• of level of sunshine from your region;
• of the’orientation and thetilt of your roof;
• of the possible shadows (close or distant) projected on your roof;
• of yield of your solar panels;
• of the Life of your solar panels, estimated on average at 30 years (for a manufacturer’s warranty between 10 and 20 years);
• linked to lifespan, the linear yield guarantee varies from one model to another. At the end of its 25th year of commissioning, the yield guarantee represents on average 85 % of the initial power.

What profitability for an agricultural photovoltaic building ?

To enhance the roof of agricultural buildings, Some operators do not hesitate to install solar panels and to enjoy Large surfaces of available roofs. Thanks to economies of scale, there profitability a photovoltaic building is superior to that of a residential installation.

Larger installations allow you to take advantage of decreasing marginal costs, due to the existence of incompressible costs (displacement of the installer, administrative procedures, etc.)).

A 36 kWc installation in the region of Bordeaux will be profitable in 12 years on average.

6 tools to calculate its solar production !

Photovoltaic solar panels make it possible to produce electricity thanks to solar radiation. If you have chosen to equip yourself with solar panels, you must now calculate solar production to size your installation according to your objectives. Thermal tips decrypt 6 simple and free tools.

Panels
solar
at the right price
Homyos

Connecting kit
surprise
669 €
Besolar

Connecting kit
in 5 min.
840 €
Sunethic

• An average KWH/KWC ratio in France
• The PVGIS application
• Autocalsol software
• The tool Evaluate my quote
• Dimensioning with teccsol
• PVSYST software
• Video solar panels

The KWH/KWC ratio

It is possible to estimate yourself the number of kWh produced by an installation according to its power in KWC.

As a reminder, the crest power is the power of the photovoltaic modules expressed in watt crest and noted wc. This is the maximum power (hence the term “crest”) that the solar panel will produce under standardized conditions.

Major trends have been calculated according to the regions in France. This can give you an idea of ​​the production of your installation:

Example: if you are in Nantes, and you want an installation with a power of 3 kWc. You are in the 1000-1100 kWh/kwc zone, so you will produce around 3000 to 3300 kWh/year.

It is a very quick and practical way to check the estimates that you can do with a salesperson or an installer.

This map of France therefore allows you to estimate at a glance your solar production, but for a further study, other tools are available below.

The PVGIS application

PVGIS (Photovoltaic Geographical Information System) is a free application to calculate its solar energy production almost everywhere in the world. It was developed by the Institute for the Environment and Sustainable Development Center of the European Commission.

This application is very easy to use and the calculation of solar production takes place in several stages:

Fill the geographic location: you can directly click on the card, complete the GPS contact details, or enter an address in the field provided under the card.

It is possible to integrate the horizon calculation, the application offers 3 choices (in the insert at the top right):

• Do not integrate horizon calculation: do not select anything
• Choose horizon information calculated by PVGIS: Default choice, “Calculated horizon”
• Download your own horizon height information: “Download Horizon File”

A menu located just to the right of the card allows you to enter and supplement various information to obtain the corresponding data.

PV system performance coupled with the network / follower / out of network: you can choose the database (PVGIS-SARAH or PVGIS-CMSAF for default Europe), the characteristics of the installation and the mounting options. It is also possible to complete the price of the system. These tabs allow you to measure the performance of the system over a year by clicking on “View results”:

We obtain a simulation of the production of the installation in the insert on the right, with a graph showing the variations according to the months of the year. We quickly see that solar production in summer is significantly more important than in winter. Considering photovoltaic solar panels to supply electric radiators is therefore not advised. It is possible to obtain the precise values ​​by downloading the PDF.

The other tabs offer sunshine or irradiation data and monthly, daily, timetables or a year.

Autocalsol software

Autocalsol is free pre-dimensioning software developed by Ines (National Institute of Solar Energy). It is thus possible to calculate solar production but also your self -consumption rate according to your consumption. In addition, the program offers an economic and ecological study of your future installation. It is a very complete and easy to use tool.

The first step is to start a new study and locate its location in PV installation . The characteristics of the installation must be informed: inclination, orientation, power, integration mode and the loss factor. You will notice, for example, that an overwhelming installation, with panels placed on a rail above the roof, offers better production than an integrated pose to the roof. This is explained because the panels are better cooled because better ventilated.

By clicking on “Continue”, the next page addresses solar production . A graph presents monthly solar production, and mentions solar production and annual irradiation. Another graphic shows us the distant mask from PVGIS data.

We stop here but it is possible to continue this study to have complete information to properly size your installation (self -consumption rate, economic, ecological study, etc.).

The tool Evaluate my quote

Evaluating my quote is a tool produced by the HESPUL association, an association aimed at “contributing to the advent of a sober and effective society, based on renewable energies, while defending the values ​​of equity and interest general ”, with the support of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and Ademe.

The data comes from pvgis, so the results will not change, only the proposed interface is different. It has been designed for individuals and is very easy to access.

As with other applications, we start by locating the installation and completing its characteristics: inclination, orientation, power, subscription power. These elements are essential to calculate solar production.

We have directly on this first screen the energy produced by the installation in the “Productible” box. We note that the ideal parameters to produce a maximum solar energy remain a southern orientation with an inclination around 30 °. If the objective is to self -consom the electricity, we can favor an inclination at 50 ° to produce more in winter when the sun is low.

We stop here in solar production, but the application allows to study financially the investment of your installation. After having informed the self -consumption rate, pricing development, investment, we obtain a financial analysis according to the profile: total resale, self -consumption with sale of the surplus, total self -consumption or partial self -consumption with free assignment.

Dimensioning your future installation with teccsol

TECSOL is a technical design office in solar energy, which supports photovoltaic solar projects in particular, the feasibility study to the monitoring and supervision of the installation. This design office has created a “PV generator” tool:

We start by entering the location by entering the country and the station in a drop -down menu. Then we complete the characteristics on the installation in the “modules” frame: type of panels, number of modules, orientation, inclination, and type of integration into the frame.

Once this information has been completed, you can click on the Continue button that will make you move on to the results of this study.

A table summarizes the characteristics of the installation. And the table below presents the solar energy received by the sensors, the electricity produced by the system in a monthly and annual way. It is possible to receive these results by email.

A very easy to use tool but which fully fulfills the objective of estimating the solar production of its future installation.

PVSYST software

PVSYST is free software to download very complete. It has been developed in order to be used by architects, engineers and researchers, but it can just as easily be used by most of us.

First you have to download the software from the PVSYST website, a trial version is free for 30 days.

When you open the software, you choose depending on the configuration of the installation: coupled with the network or isolated with battery. A new project is open, it is possible to load your own meteorological data or import data from the software by looking for the geographic site.

You must then save your project in order to complete the characteristics of the installation: orientation, system, horizon and nearly shades. The software goes very far so far as to choose the panel model and the inverter for example in “System”.

Finally, by clicking on “Launch the simulation”, the software calculates the results according to the parameters previously returned. Annual solar production is in the “Main results” box:

The software is very complete, it allows you to refine to be as close as possible to the real conditions of your installation. Some technical data are also available, it is possible to make an economic assessment, to edit a report and many other things.