PVGIS Solar Lyon: Calculate Your Rooftop Solar Production

Why Install Solar Panels in Lyon?

A Climate Favorable to Solar Energy

Lyon enjoys a semi-continental climate with sunny, bright summers. Average solar irradiation reaches 1,250-1,300 kWh/m²/year, placing the region among the best photovoltaic zones in central-eastern France.

Typical production in Lyon: A residential 3 kWp installation generates approximately 3,600-3,900 kWh per year, covering 70-90% of an average household's consumption. Specific yield ranges between 1,200 and 1,300 kWh/kWp/year depending on your roof's orientation and tilt.

Advantageous Economic Conditions

Rising electricity prices: With an average increase of 4-6% per year, producing your own electricity quickly becomes profitable. In Lyon, the return on investment for a photovoltaic installation ranges between 9 and 13 years.

Available local incentives: The Lyon Metropolitan Area and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region regularly offer subsidies complementing national incentives (self-consumption bonus, reduced VAT at 10%).

Dynamic market: Lyon has numerous qualified RGE installers, ensuring healthy competition and competitive prices, typically between €2,000 and €2,800 per installed kWp.

Calculate your solar production in Lyon

Using PVGIS for Your Lyon Rooftop

Sunshine Data in Lyon

PVGIS integrates over 20 years of meteorological data for the Lyon region, enabling reliable photovoltaic production estimates. The tool accounts for:

Seasonal variations: Lyon exhibits strong contrast between summer (550-600 kWh/kWp) and winter (150-200 kWh/kWp). This seasonality influences optimal sizing, particularly for self-consumption projects.

Local microclimates: The Rhône Valley, Lyon hills, and eastern plain show sunshine differences. PVGIS automatically adapts its calculations based on your precise location within the metropolitan area.

Moderate temperatures: Photovoltaic panels lose efficiency with heat. Lyon's climate, neither too hot nor too cold, optimizes module performance year-round.

Configuring PVGIS for Your Lyon Project

Step 1: Precise Location

Enter your exact Lyon address or click directly on the map. Location precision is essential, as solar masks (buildings, hills) vary greatly across districts.

• Lyon Peninsula and center: Watch for shading from surrounding buildings. Top-floor rooftops are preferred.
• East Lyon and Villeurbanne: Flatter terrain, less urban shading, excellent conditions for residential installations.
• Western hills (Tassin, Sainte-Foy): Generally favorable exposure but terrain must be considered in PVGIS analysis.

Step 2: Rooftop Configuration

Orientation: In Lyon, due south orientation remains optimal (±15° azimuth). However, southeast or southwest orientations retain 90-95% of maximum production, offering more installation flexibility.

Tilt: The optimal angle in Lyon is 32-35° to maximize annual production. A 30° or 40° roof loses less than 3% efficiency. For flat roofs, favor a 15-20° tilt to limit wind exposure.

Module technology: Crystalline panels (mono or poly) represent 95% of Lyon installations. PVGIS allows comparing different technologies, but crystalline offers the best performance-to-price ratio.

Step 3: System Losses

The standard 14% rate includes:

• Wiring losses (2-3%)
• Inverter efficiency (3-5%)
• Dirt and fouling (2-3%) - particularly important near Lyon's major roads
• Thermal losses (4-6%)

For well-executed installations with premium equipment, you can adjust to 12%. Avoid going below this to remain realistic.

Complete PVGIS France guide

Case Studies: Solar Installations in Lyon

Case 1: Detached House in Lyon 8th District

Configuration:

• Surface area: 20 m² of rooftop
• Power: 3 kWp (400 Wp panels)
• Orientation: Southwest (azimuth 225°)
• Tilt: 30°

PVGIS Results:

• Annual production: 3,750 kWh
• Specific yield: 1,250 kWh/kWp
• Maximum summer production: 480 kWh in July
• Minimum winter production: 180 kWh in December

Profitability:

• Investment: €7,500 (after incentives)
• Annual savings: €650 (50% self-consumption)
• Payback period: 11.5 years
• 25-year gain: €8,500

Case 2: Commercial Building in Villeurbanne

Configuration:

• Surface area: 200 m² flat roof
• Power: 36 kWp
• Orientation: Due South (rack installation)
• Tilt: 20° (wind/production optimized)

PVGIS Results:

• Annual production: 44,500 kWh
• Specific yield: 1,236 kWh/kWp
• Self-consumption rate: 75% (commercial daytime consumption)

Profitability:

• Investment: €72,000
• Annual savings: €5,800
• Payback period: 12.4 years
• CSR and brand image value

Case 3: Condominium Lyon 3rd District

Configuration:

• Surface area: 120 m² sloped roof
• Power: 18 kWp
• Collective self-consumption (20 units)

PVGIS Results:

• Annual production: 22,300 kWh
• Distribution: Common areas + resale to co-owners
• Common area bill reduction: 40%

This project type requires detailed simulation with PVGIS24 to model distribution and consumption allocation.

Professional PVGIS24 simulations

Lyon Rooftop Specificities

Lyon Architecture and Photovoltaics

Haussmann buildings: Steep slate or tile roofs are ideal for panel integration. Natural pitch (35-45°) is perfect for solar production. Watch for architectural constraints in protected areas.

Recent buildings: Flat roofs allow rack installation with optimal orientation. PVGIS helps determine angle and spacing to avoid inter-row shading.

Houses: Lyon detached homes often feature 2 or 4-sided roofs. PVGIS enables independent simulation of each side to optimize total coverage.

Urban Planning Constraints

Protected zones: Old Lyon (UNESCO) and certain Croix-Rousse slopes impose strict constraints. Panels must be discreet or invisible from the street. Anticipate prior declaration or building permit as required.

Condominium regulations: In apartment buildings, check regulations before any project. General assembly authorization is necessary to modify external appearance.

French Heritage Architect (ABF) opinion: Required within 500m radius of historic monuments. Opinion may impose aesthetic constraints (black panels, building integration).

Optimizing Self-Consumption in Lyon

Typical Consumption Profiles

Household active during day: With remote work or daytime presence, self-consumption rate easily reaches 60-70%. Solar production coincides with usage: appliances, cooking, computing.

Household absent during day: Direct self-consumption drops to 30-40%. Solutions to increase this rate:

• Appliance programming: Schedule washing machine, dishwasher, dryer for midday via timers
• Heat pump water heater: Run electric resistance during solar production hours
• Storage battery: Additional investment (€5,000-8,000) but self-consumption raised to 80%+

Business or shop: Ideal profile with daytime consumption aligned with production. Self-consumption rate of 70-90% depending on activity.

Optimal Sizing

To maximize profitability in Lyon, follow these rules:

Don't oversize: Install 70-80% of your annual consumption for self-consumption with surplus resale. Beyond this, the EDF OA purchase rate (€0.13/kWh) is less attractive than self-consumption (€0.20-0.25/kWh saved).

Example: Annual consumption 5,000 kWh → install maximum 3-4 kWp, generating 3,600-4,800 kWh production.

Use PVGIS24 to refine: Self-consumption simulations integrate your consumption profile for precise sizing. This avoids costly errors.

Beyond PVGIS: Professional Tools

Free PVGIS vs PVGIS24 for Lyon

The free PVGIS calculator provides excellent initial estimates for your Lyon project. However, for installers and complex project developers, limitations appear:

• No detailed financial analysis (NPV, IRR, payback period)
• Cannot precisely model self-consumption
• No multi-project management to compare configurations
• Basic printing not suited for client presentations

PVGIS24 transforms your approach:

Self-consumption simulations: Integrate your hourly or daily consumption profile. PVGIS24 automatically calculates optimal self-consumption rate and real savings under different sizing scenarios.

Complete financial analyses: Instantly obtain return on investment, 25-year net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), integrating electricity price evolution and Lyon local incentives.

Professional reports: Generate detailed PDFs with monthly production charts, profitability analyses, scenario comparisons. Ideal for convincing clients or your bank.

Project management: For Lyon installers managing multiple sites, PVGIS24 PRO (€299/year) offers 300 project credits and 2 users. Amortized in just 30 projects.

Discover PVGIS24 PRO for professionals

Choosing an Installer in Lyon

Selection Criteria

RGE certification: Essential to benefit from government incentives. Verify on France Rénov' that the installer is certified RGE Photovoltaic.

Local references: Request examples of installations in Lyon metropolitan area. An experienced installer knows local specificities (urban planning, climate, ABF opinions).

Professional PVGIS study: A good installer uses PVGIS or equivalent to size your installation. Beware of "ballpark" estimates.

Complete warranties:

• Ten-year liability insurance (mandatory)
• Panel warranty: 25 years production, 10-12 years product
• Inverter warranty: 5-10 years minimum
• Labor warranty: 2-5 years

Questions to Ask

• What specific yield do you expect on my roof? (should be between 1,150-1,300 kWh/kWp in Lyon)
• Did you use PVGIS for your estimate?
• What shading has been identified on my roof?
• What self-consumption rate are you targeting? How to optimize it?
• What administrative procedures do you handle?
• What is the Enedis connection timeline?

Frequently Asked Questions About Solar in Lyon

Does Lyon have enough sunshine for photovoltaics?

Absolutely! With 1,250-1,300 kWh/kWp/year, Lyon ranks in the upper-middle range for France. This is more than sufficient for a profitable installation. The Lyon region produces more than Paris (+15%) and remains competitive with Southern France.

What if my roof isn't facing due south?

Southeast or southwest orientation retains 90-95% of maximum production. Even an east-west roof can be viable with PVGIS24 to optimize the project. North-facing roofs are however not recommended.

How much does an installation cost in Lyon?

For a residential installation (3-9 kWp), expect €2,000-2,800 per installed kWp, after incentives. Price decreases with power. A 3 kWp project costs €7,000-8,500 after self-consumption bonus.

Do panels withstand Lyon conditions?

Yes, modern panels resist weather, hail, snow, and temperature variations. Lyon has no extreme climate conditions requiring special precautions. Production warranty typically 25 years.

What maintenance for solar panels?

Very limited: annual cleaning (or natural by rain), visual connection check. The inverter may need replacement after 10-15 years (budget €1,000-2,000). Panels require virtually no maintenance.

Can I install panels on a condominium building?

Yes, with general assembly authorization. Collective self-consumption projects are developing in Lyon. PVGIS24 enables modeling distribution between units and common areas.

Financial Incentives in Lyon

National Incentives

Self-consumption bonus (in effect 2025):

• 3 kWp: €300/kWp = €900
• 6 kWp: €230/kWp = €1,380
• 9 kWp: €200/kWp = €1,800

EDF OA purchase obligation: Unconsumed surplus is purchased at €0.13/kWh (installation ≤9kWp). 20-year guaranteed contract.

Reduced 10% VAT: For installations ≤3kWp on buildings over 2 years old.

Possible Local Incentives

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region: Regularly check regional programs for individuals and businesses. Incentives vary by annual budgets.

Lyon Metropolitan Area: Occasional subsidies under Climate Plan framework. Contact Rhône Energy Info Center.

Energy Savings Certificates (CEE): Premium paid by energy suppliers, cumulative with other incentives. Variable amount (typically €200-400).

Cumulative Incentives

All these incentives are cumulative! For a 3 kWp project in Lyon:

• Installation cost: €8,500 incl. VAT
• Self-consumption bonus: -€900
• CEE: -€300
• Final cost: €7,300
• Annual savings: €600-700
• Return on investment: 10-12 years

Take Action

Step 1: Evaluate Your Potential

Use the free PVGIS calculator to get an initial estimate for your Lyon rooftop. Enter your precise address and your roof characteristics.

Free PVGIS calculator Lyon

Step 2: Refine Your Project

If you're an installer or developer of complex projects (self-consumption, condominium, commercial), choose PVGIS24 PRO. Advanced simulations will save you hours of study and strengthen your credibility.

PVGIS24 PRO at €299/year:

• 300 projects per year (€1/project)
• Complete financial simulations
• Customized self-consumption analyses
• Professional PDF printing
• 2 users for your team

Subscribe to PVGIS24 PRO

Step 3: Contact RGE Installers

Request multiple quotes from RGE-certified installers in Lyon. Compare their estimates with your PVGIS results to validate their credibility. A variance over 15% on production should alert you.

Step 4: Get Started!

Once your installer is chosen, procedures are simple:

1. Quote signature
2. Prior declaration to city hall (1-2 month processing)
3. Installation (1-3 days depending on power)
4. Enedis connection (1-3 months)
5. Production and savings!

Conclusion: Lyon, Solar Future Territory

With generous sunshine, a mature market, and attractive incentives, Lyon and its region offer all conditions to succeed in your photovoltaic project. PVGIS provides the reliable data needed to make the right decisions.

Whether you're an individual seeking to reduce bills, an installer developing your business, or a company targeting energy autonomy, photovoltaics in Lyon is a profitable and ecological future investment.

Don't leave your rooftop unexploited any longer. Each year without solar panels represents €600-800 in lost savings for an average Lyon household.

To further your understanding of photovoltaics in France, consult our complete PVGIS France guide or discover the specificities of other regions like PVGIS Marseille or PVGIS Paris .

Start your PVGIS simulation in Lyon now