PVGIS France: Complete Guide to Optimizing Your Solar PV Installation

Why Use PVGIS for Your Solar Projects in France?

PVGIS is a geographical information system developed by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre. This free tool allows you to precisely estimate the electrical production of a photovoltaic installation based on multiple parameters.

Benefits of PVGIS for Professionals

• Reliable meteorological data: PVGIS uses satellite databases covering over 20 years of climate history. You obtain estimates based on actual sunshine data for each French region.
• Customized simulations: The tool accounts for orientation, tilt, solar masks, photovoltaic technology type, and system losses. Each project benefits from a tailored analysis.
• Considerable time savings: For installers and engineering firms, PVGIS enables feasibility studies in minutes instead of several hours of manual calculations.
• Client credibility: Presenting estimates based on PVGIS strengthens your prospects' confidence and facilitates contract signing.

Access the PVGIS24 calculator for free

How Does the PVGIS Solar Calculator Work?

Essential Parameters

To obtain an accurate photovoltaic production estimate, PVGIS analyzes several data points:

• Geographical location: Latitude and longitude determine potential sunshine. France benefits from a significant irradiation gradient, with values ranging from 1000 kWh/m²/year in the north to over 1700 kWh/m²/year on the French Riviera.
• Orientation and tilt: The azimuth (orientation relative to south) and tilt angle optimize solar ray capture. In France, a due south orientation with a 30-35° tilt generally maximizes annual production.
• Installed capacity: Your installation's peak power (in kWp) multiplied by the specific yield gives the estimated annual production.
• Photovoltaic technologies: PVGIS differentiates between crystalline, thin-film, or concentrated modules, each having specific temperature coefficients and yields.
• System losses: Wiring, inverter, soiling, shading – PVGIS integrates these losses for a realistic result (generally 14% total losses).

Interpreting PVGIS Results

The calculator generates several key indicators:

• Annual production (kWh/year): Total energy produced over one year
• Specific yield (kWh/kWp/year): Production per kWp installed, allows comparison of different sites
• Monthly production: Visualization of seasonal variations
• Optimal irradiation: Ideal configuration to maximize production

For professionals, PVGIS24 offers advanced features: financial simulations, self-consumption calculations, autonomy analyses, and professional PDF exports.

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PVGIS by Region: Solar Potential in France

France presents remarkable climate diversity directly impacting photovoltaic installation profitability. Here's a detailed overview of solar potential by major region.

Southern France: Solar Paradise

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Occitanie benefit from the best French sunshine with over 2700 annual sunshine hours.

• PVGIS Rooftop Marseille : With a yield of 1400-1500 kWh/kWp/year, Marseille offers exceptional profitability. A 3 kWp installation produces approximately 4200 kWh/year, largely covering a household's needs.
• PVGIS Rooftop Nice : The French Riviera reaches similar performance with 1350-1450 kWh/kWp/year. Seaside installations must however anticipate salt corrosion.
• PVGIS Rooftop Montpellier : The Hérault combines generous sunshine (1400 kWh/kWp/year) and stable Mediterranean climate, ideal for large installations.
• PVGIS Rooftop Toulouse : In Occitanie, Toulouse displays 1300-1350 kWh/kWp/year with an excellent compromise between sunshine and installation cost.

Paris Region and Central France

Île-de-France presents often underestimated but economically viable solar potential.

• PVGIS Rooftop Paris : The capital and its region generate 1000-1100 kWh/kWp/year. Despite lower sunshine, high electricity prices and regional subsidies make projects profitable in 8-12 years.

Urban constraints (shading, complex rooftops, historical monuments) require detailed PVGIS studies with shading analysis to optimize each installation.

Atlantic West

Brittany and Pays de la Loire benefit from an oceanic climate with specificities to consider.

• PVGIS Rooftop Nantes : Pays de la Loire displays 1150-1200 kWh/kWp/year. The mild climate limits winter losses and moderate temperatures improve panel efficiency.
• PVGIS Rooftop Rennes : Brittany reaches 1050-1150 kWh/kWp/year. Contrary to common belief, the region offers good potential, notably thanks to cool temperatures improving module efficiency.
• PVGIS Rooftop Lorient : Morbihan combines oceanic climate and decent sunshine (1100-1150 kWh/kWp/year), with the advantage of strong local demand for self-consumption.
• PVGIS Rooftop Bordeaux : Nouvelle-Aquitaine benefits from an excellent compromise with 1250-1300 kWh/kWp/year, between oceanic climate and Mediterranean influences.

Rhône-Alpes and Eastern France

• PVGIS Rooftop Lyon : The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region presents 1200-1300 kWh/kWp/year. Lyon combines good sunshine and a dynamic solar market, with many qualified installers.
• PVGIS Rooftop Strasbourg : Grand Est displays 1050-1150 kWh/kWp/year. Harsh winters are offset by bright summers and cool temperatures optimizing efficiency.

Northern France

• PVGIS Rooftop Lille : Hauts-de-France generates 950-1050 kWh/kWp/year. Although the yield is lower, profitability remains attractive thanks to local subsidies and collective self-consumption development.

Optimize Your Profitability with PVGIS24

From Free Calculation to Professional Simulations

Free PVGIS offers an excellent foundation for discovering a site's solar potential. However, for photovoltaic professionals, limitations quickly appear: no professional printing, absent financial analyses, limited project management.

PVGIS24 transforms the calculator into a true business tool:

Features That Make the Difference

• Complete financial simulations: Automatically calculate return on investment, net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and payback period. These financial indicators are essential to convince your clients.
• Self-consumption analyses: Model different consumption scenarios to optimize sizing. The module integrates residential, commercial, and industrial consumption profiles.
• Energy autonomy calculations: Determine self-consumption rate and self-production rate for autonomy or demand management projects.
• Multi-project management: Centralize all your client files with 300 to 600 annual project credits depending on your plan. Each simulation is saved and instantly accessible.
• Professional PDF exports: Generate detailed reports with your visual identity, production graphs, financial analyses, and technical recommendations. A major credibility boost with clients.
• Multi-user access: PRO and EXPERT plans allow team collaboration (2 to 3 simultaneous users) for engineering firms and installers with multiple technicians.

Which PVGIS24 Plan to Choose?

• PVGIS24 PREMIUM (€199/year): Ideal for independent installers completing up to 50 annual projects. Unlimited calculations and PDF printing for professional quotes.
• PVGIS24 PRO (€299/year): The preferred choice for active tradespeople and solar installers. With 300 project credits and 2 users, this plan includes all necessary financial simulations (self-consumption, autonomy, profitability). Return on investment is immediate from 30-40 annual projects.
• PVGIS24 EXPERT (€399/year): For engineering firms and large companies. 600 project credits, 3 simultaneous users, and priority technical support. Essential for structures managing 100+ projects per year.

All professional plans include authorized commercial use, online technical support, and regular meteorological database updates.

Choose your PVGIS24 professional plan

Methodology: Conducting a Complete PVGIS Study

Step 1: Site Data Collection

Before any simulation, gather essential information:

• Precise address or GPS coordinates of the site
• Roof photos (orientation, tilt, condition)
• Solar mask survey: trees, buildings, chimneys
• Client's annual electricity consumption (bills)
• Project objectives: total feed-in, self-consumption, autonomy

Step 2: Basic PVGIS Simulation

Access the PVGIS24 calculator and enter:

• Location: Enter the address or click on the map
• Planned capacity: Initial sizing based on available surface
• Technology type: Standard crystalline in 95% of residential cases
• Configuration: Orientation (azimuth) and tilt measured or estimated
• System losses: 14% by default (adjust if specific installation)

The basic result provides estimated annual production and your site's specific yield.

Step 3: Refinement with Advanced Simulations

With PVGIS24 PRO, deepen the analysis:

• Orientation optimization: Test different configurations to identify the best production/architectural integration compromise. Southeast or southwest orientation reduces production by only 5-10% versus due south.
• Shading analysis: Integrate solar masks to precisely calculate losses. Morning shading for 2 hours can reduce production by 15-20%.

Customized financial simulation:

• Installation price per kWp
• Current electricity cost and projected evolution
• Applicable VAT rate (10% renovation, 20% new)
• Local subsidies and grants (self-consumption bonus, EEC)
• EDF OA feed-in tariff if applicable

Step 4: Self-Consumption Scenarios

For self-consumption projects with surplus feed-in:

• Consumption profile: Integrate occupancy hours and uses (heating, DHW, electric vehicle)
• Optimal self-consumption rate: Aim for 40-60% for better residential ROI
• Adjusted sizing: Install 70-80% of annual consumption to avoid oversizing
• Storage solutions: Simulate battery addition if autonomy target >60%

Step 5: Client Report Generation

With PVGIS24, create a professional document including:

• Site presentation and energy context
• Detailed simulation results (monthly/annual production)
• Production graphs and seasonal comparisons
• Complete 25-year financial analysis
• Self-consumption calculation and projected savings
• Avoided CO2 emissions and environmental impact
• Technical recommendations

This report enhances your expertise and accelerates client decision-making.

Frequently Asked Questions About PVGIS in France

Is PVGIS reliable for estimating solar production in France?

Yes, PVGIS is recognized as one of the most reliable databases for photovoltaic estimates in Europe. Data is validated by the European Joint Research Centre and regularly updated. Average error margin is less than 5% on well-designed installations.

What's the difference between free PVGIS and paid PVGIS24?

Free PVGIS offers basic production calculations, perfect for an initial approach. PVGIS24 adds financial simulations, self-consumption analyses, multi-project management, professional PDF exports, and technical support. For installers, it's an essential tool from 20-30 annual projects.

How does PVGIS account for local climate?

PVGIS uses historical satellite data over 20+ years, integrating local climate variations. In France, the PVGIS-SARAH2 database offers 5 km spatial resolution, precise enough to differentiate microclimates between valleys and plateaus.

Can PVGIS be used for complex roof installations?

Yes, PVGIS handles multi-orientation configurations. For complex roofs, create multiple simulations per roof section then add productions. PVGIS24 facilitates this approach with multi-section management.

Does PVGIS integrate the latest photovoltaic technologies?

PVGIS offers several technologies: crystalline, thin-film, and concentrated modules. For very recent technologies (bifacial, perovskite), use crystalline modules with efficiency adjustment. PVGIS24 is regularly updated.

Are PVGIS simulations accepted by banks for financing?

Yes, PVGIS reports are widely recognized by banking institutions and solar project funders. PVGIS24 exports further strengthen this credibility with detailed financial analyses compliant with banking standards.

Common PVGIS Mistakes to Avoid

• Neglecting solar masks: An unaccounted tree can reduce production by 20-30%. Systematically conduct a shading survey, especially for urban or wooded sites.
• Overestimating self-consumption rate: A typical household with daytime professional activity only consumes 30-40% of electricity during solar production hours. Be realistic in simulations to avoid disappointment.
• Forgetting module degradation: Panels lose approximately 0.5% efficiency per year. PVGIS calculates for the first year; integrate this degradation in long-term financial analyses.
• Underestimating system losses: The default rate of 14% is realistic for a standard installation. Don't artificially optimize results by reducing this rate without technical justification.
• Ignoring energy inflation: With an average 4-6% annual increase in electricity prices, future savings will be much higher than current calculations. Emphasize this aspect to your clients.

Advanced Optimization: Beyond Standard Calculation

Storage Solution Integration

For projects targeting energy autonomy, PVGIS24 simulates battery impact:

• Self-consumption rate increase from 40% to 70-80%
• Optimal battery/solar production sizing
• Storage cost/benefit analysis over 10-15 years
• Impact on overall return on investment

Agrivoltaic Installations

Agrivoltaics combines agricultural and electrical production. PVGIS allows modeling:

• Elevated configuration with cultivation space
• Shading impact on crops (30-50% depending on configuration)
• Electrical production per hectare
• Dual economic valorization

Parking Canopies

Photovoltaic canopy projects require specific calculations:

• Orientation imposed by parking space layout
• Limited height and tilt (technical constraints)
• Electric charging station integration
• Land valorization and multiple use

PVGIS24 adapts simulations to these constraints for realistic results.

PVGIS and Regulations: Stay Compliant

RE2020 and Energy Performance

The 2020 environmental regulation values renewable energy production. PVGIS simulations demonstrate photovoltaic contribution to building energy balance.

Prior Declaration and Building Permits

Integrate PVGIS results in your urban planning files to justify:

• Proposed sizing
• Optimized landscape impact
• Expected energy performance

Grid Connection

Grid managers (Enedis, ELD) require production estimates. PVGIS24 reports provide all necessary data for connection applications.

Solar Market Evolution in France

France targets 100 GW of installed photovoltaic capacity by 2050, compared to approximately 18 GW currently. This exponential growth creates major opportunities for professionals:

• Exploding residential market: Self-consumption increasingly attracts private individuals facing rising electricity prices. The number of residential installations has doubled in 2 years.
• Commercial photovoltaic development: Businesses, shops, and communities are massively equipping to reduce costs and achieve CSR objectives.
• Collective self-consumption: Condominium or solar neighborhood operations are multiplying, requiring complex feasibility studies where PVGIS24 provides decisive added value.
• Solar obligation: Since 2023, new commercial and industrial buildings over 500 m² must integrate photovoltaics. A structural market for years to come.

Start Your Solar Transformation Today

Whether you're an independent installer, engineering firm, certified tradesperson, or project developer, PVGIS and PVGIS24 are your allies for developing your photovoltaic activity.

Test PVGIS for Free

Discover the calculator's potential with the free plan:

• PVGIS24 access limited to 1 roof section
• Presentation PDF printing
• Ideal for evaluating the tool before investment

Access the free PVGIS calculator

Take It to the Next Level with PVGIS24 PRO

For active professionals, the PVGIS24 PRO plan at €299/year offers the best value:

✅ 300 project credits per year (€1 per project)

✅ 2 simultaneous users for your team

✅ Complete financial simulations (profitability, self-consumption, autonomy)

✅ Unlimited PDF exports for your quotes

✅ Online technical support to answer your questions

✅ Authorized commercial use without restrictions

Quick profitability calculation: With 30 projects per year, the cost per simulation is €10. Compare to the €50-150 charged for a feasibility study - return on investment is immediate.

Subscribe to PVGIS24 PRO now

Local Resources: City-Specific Guides

Deepen your knowledge with our dedicated city guides:

PVGIS Rooftop Lyon  - Rhône-Alpes

PVGIS Rooftop Paris  - Île-de-France

PVGIS Rooftop Lorient  - Southern Brittany

PVGIS Rooftop Marseille  - Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

PVGIS Rooftop Toulouse  - Occitanie

PVGIS Rooftop Nice  - French Riviera

PVGIS Rooftop Nantes  - Pays de la Loire

PVGIS Rooftop Strasbourg  - Grand Est

PVGIS Rooftop Bordeaux  - Nouvelle-Aquitaine

PVGIS Rooftop Lille  - Hauts-de-France

PVGIS Rooftop Montpellier  - Hérault

PVGIS Rooftop Rennes  - Brittany

Each guide offers local climate data, case studies, and specific recommendations to optimize your regional installations.

Conclusion: Your Success Starts with Good Data

In photovoltaics, estimation accuracy makes the difference between a profitable project and commercial failure. PVGIS provides the necessary scientific reliability, and PVGIS24 transforms this data into a powerful commercial tool.

Professionals equipped with PVGIS24 report:

• 30% time saved on feasibility studies
• Client conversion rate improved by 20-25% through professional reports
• Reduced complaints through realistic estimates
• Strengthened credibility with clients and financial partners

France's photovoltaic market will triple by 2030. Professionals investing today in the right tools capture this growth.

Don't let your competitors get ahead. Join the hundreds of installers who trust PVGIS24 to develop their solar business.

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