PVGIS Solar Toulouse: Solar Simulation in Occitanie Region

The Solar Potential of Toulouse and Occitanie

Generous Sunshine

Toulouse ranks among the sunniest cities in southwest France with an average production output of 1,300-1,350 kWh/kWc/year. A residential 3 kWc installation generates 3,900-4,050 kWh annually, covering 70-90% of an average household's needs depending on consumption profile.

Advantageous geographic position: Located between Mediterranean influence (to the east) and oceanic influence (to the west), Toulouse benefits from a transitional climate offering a good compromise: generous sunshine without the thermal extremes of the Mediterranean coast.

Regional comparison: Toulouse produces 20-25% more than Paris, 15-20% more than Nantes, and approaches Mediterranean south performance (only 5-10% less than Marseille). An excellent sunshine/climate comfort ratio.

Characteristics of Occitanie's Climate

Hot, sunny summers: The months from June to August are particularly productive with 500-550 kWh for a 3 kWc installation. Summer heat (30-35°C frequent) is partially offset by clear, bright skies.

Mild winters: Unlike northern France, Toulouse maintains respectable winter solar production: 170-210 kWh monthly in December-January. Sunny winter days are frequent despite some rainy episodes.

Productive spring and fall: Toulouse's transitional seasons are excellent for photovoltaics with 350-450 kWh monthly. Late season (September-October) is particularly generous with sunshine.

Autan wind: The local wind can blow strongly (gusts 80-100 km/h), requiring adapted structural dimensioning, but it also brings clear skies favorable to solar production.

Calculate your solar production in Toulouse

Configuring PVGIS for Your Toulouse Rooftop

Occitanie Climate Data

PVGIS integrates over 20 years of meteorological history for the Toulouse region, capturing the specificities of southwest climate:

Annual irradiation: 1,400-1,450 kWh/m²/year on average, placing Toulouse among the top French cities for solar.

Local micro-variations: The Toulouse basin presents relative sunshine homogeneity. Differences between city center and suburbs are minimal (±2-3%), unlike mountainous regions.

Typical monthly production (3 kWc installation):

• Summer (June-August): 500-550 kWh/month
• Spring/Fall (March-May, Sept-Oct): 350-420 kWh/month
• Winter (Nov-Feb): 170-210 kWh/month

This balanced distribution favors regular self-consumption throughout the year, unlike Mediterranean regions where production is more concentrated in summer.

Optimal Parameters for Toulouse

Orientation: In Toulouse, due south orientation remains optimal. However, southeast or southwest orientations retain 91-95% of maximum production, offering valuable flexibility to adapt to architectural constraints.

Toulouse specificity: A slightly southwest orientation (azimuth 200-210°) can be interesting to capture Toulouse's sunny afternoons, particularly in summer. PVGIS allows you to simulate these options to optimize according to your consumption profile.

Tilt angle: The optimal angle in Toulouse is 32-34° to maximize annual production. Traditional Toulouse roofs (mechanical or Roman tiles, 30-35° slope) are naturally close to this optimum.

For modern buildings with flat roofs (numerous in Toulouse business zones), a 20-25° tilt offers a good compromise between production and limiting wind exposure from the autan.

Recommended technologies: Standard monocrystalline panels (19-21% efficiency) are perfectly suited to Toulouse's climate. Premium technologies (PERC, bifacial) bring marginal gain (3-5%) that can be justified on limited surfaces.

Integrating System Losses

PVGIS proposes a standard 14% loss rate that suits Toulouse well. This rate includes:

• Wiring losses: 2-3%
• Inverter efficiency: 3-5%
• Soiling: 2-3% (Toulouse's dry summer climate favors dust accumulation)
• Thermal losses: 5-7% (high but bearable summer temperatures)

For well-maintained installations with premium equipment and regular cleaning, you can adjust to 12-13%. Stay realistic to avoid disappointment.

Toulouse Architecture and Photovoltaics

Traditional Pink Brick Housing

Toulouse houses: Typical pink brick architecture generally features 2-slope tile roofs, 30-35° pitch. Available surface: 30-50 m² allowing 5-8 kWc installation.

Aesthetic integration: Black panels harmonize particularly well with Toulouse's terracotta roofs. Discreet integration preserves architectural character while producing energy.

City center townhouses: Large mansions in Capitole or Saint-Cyprien areas offer vast roofs (80-150 m²) ideal for large installations (12-25 kWc) in condominiums or professional use.

Expanding Suburban Zones

Toulouse belt (Balma, L'Union, Tournefeuille, Colomiers): Recent housing developments feature pavilions with optimized roofs of 25-40 m². Typical production: 3,900-5,400 kWh/year for 3-4 kWc installed.

Business zones (Blagnac, Labège, Portet): Numerous industrial and tertiary buildings with vast flat roofs (500-2,000 m²). Significant potential for 50-300 kWc installations.

Aeronautics sector: Toulouse, European aeronautics capital, has numerous companies committed to energy transition. Hangars and technical buildings offer exceptional surfaces for solar.

Urban Planning Constraints

Old Toulouse protected sector: The historic center is subject to approval from the Architect of Historic Buildings (ABF). Installations must be discreet, with black panels and building-integrated installation preferred.

Architectural Heritage Protection Zone: Several Toulouse neighborhoods are classified. Check constraints with the urban planning department before any project.

Autan wind: Reinforced structural dimensioning necessary, particularly for frame installations on flat roofs. Wind load calculation mandatory.

Toulouse Case Studies

Case 1: Single-Family Home in Colomiers

Context: 2000s pavilion, family of 4, self-consumption goal with partial remote work.

Configuration:

• Surface: 28 m²
• Power: 4 kWc (11 panels × 365 Wc)
• Orientation: South-Southwest (azimuth 195°)
• Tilt: 32° (mechanical tiles)

PVGIS simulation:

• Annual production: 5,320 kWh
• Specific output: 1,330 kWh/kWc
• Summer production: 680 kWh in July
• Winter production: 240 kWh in December

Profitability:

• Investment: €9,800 (after self-consumption bonus)
• Self-consumption: 58% (remote work 2 days/week)
• Annual savings: €740
• Surplus sales: +€190
• Return on investment: 10.5 years
• 25-year gain: €13,700

Lesson: Toulouse suburbs offer excellent conditions with little shading and available surfaces. Remote work significantly improves self-consumption.

Case 2: Tertiary Company in Labège

Context: IT offices with high daytime consumption (air conditioning, servers, workstations).

Configuration:

• Surface: 400 m² flat roof
• Power: 72 kWc
• Orientation: Due south (25° frame)
• Tilt: 25° (production/wind compromise)

PVGIS simulation:

• Annual production: 94,700 kWh
• Specific output: 1,315 kWh/kWc
• Self-consumption rate: 87% (continuous daytime consumption)

Profitability:

• Investment: €108,000
• Self-consumption: 82,400 kWh at €0.17/kWh
• Annual savings: €14,000 + sales €1,600
• Return on investment: 6.9 years
• Improved company carbon footprint

Lesson: Toulouse's tertiary sector (IT, aeronautics, services) presents an ideal profile with massive daytime consumption. Suburban business zones offer vast, unobstructed roofs.

Case 3: Farm in Saint-Sulpice-sur-Lèze

Context: Grain farm with agricultural hangar, significant consumption (drying, irrigation).

Configuration:

• Surface: 300 m² fiber cement roof
• Power: 50 kWc
• Orientation: Southeast (optimized morning production)
• Tilt: 10° (low-slope roof)

PVGIS simulation:

• Annual production: 64,000 kWh
• Specific output: 1,280 kWh/kWc (slight loss due to low tilt)
• Self-consumption rate: 75% (grain drying + irrigation)

Profitability:

• Investment: €70,000
• Self-consumption: 48,000 kWh at €0.15/kWh
• Annual savings: €7,200 + sales €2,080
• Return on investment: 7.5 years
• Environmental enhancement of farm

Lesson: Occitanie's agricultural sector offers excellent opportunities. Vast hangar roofs, coupled with significant daytime consumption (irrigation, drying), create ideal conditions for photovoltaics.

Self-Consumption in Toulouse

Toulouse Consumption Profiles

Toulouse lifestyle directly influences self-consumption opportunities:

Summer air conditioning: Although less systematic than in Marseille, air conditioning is developing in Toulouse due to hot summers (30-35°C). This summer consumption aligns perfectly with peak solar production.

Residential pools: Widespread in Toulouse pavilions, they consume 1,500-2,500 kWh/year for filtration and heating (April-September). Daytime filtration programming optimizes self-consumption.

Growing remote work: Toulouse concentrates numerous high-tech companies. Partial or full remote work increases daytime presence and thus self-consumption (from 40% to 55-65%).

Electric water heater: Standard in Toulouse housing. Switching heating to daytime hours (instead of off-peak nighttime) allows self-consuming an additional 300-500 kWh per year.

Toulouse-Specific Optimization

Smart programming: With over 200 sunny days, programming equipment during the day (11am-4pm) is highly effective in Toulouse. Washing machine, dishwasher, dryer can run on solar energy.

Electric vehicle: The rapid development of electric mobility in Toulouse (Tisséo infrastructure, numerous charging stations) makes solar charging particularly relevant. An EV absorbs 2,000-3,000 kWh/year of surplus.

Summer heat management: Rather than installing energy-intensive air conditioning, prioritize insulation and nighttime ventilation first. If air conditioning necessary, size your solar installation accordingly (+1 to 2 kWc).

Mid-season heating: For air-to-water heat pumps, fall and spring solar production (300-400 kWh/month) can cover part of mid-season heating needs, a period when the heat pump consumes moderately.

Realistic Self-Consumption Rate

• Without optimization: 38-48% for household absent during day
• With programming: 52-65% (equipment, water heater)
• With air conditioning/pool: 60-72% (significant summer consumption)
• With remote work: 55-70% (increased daytime presence)
• With battery: 75-85% (investment +€6,000-8,000)

In Toulouse, a self-consumption rate of 55-65% is realistic without major investment, thanks to a favorable climate and adaptable habits.

Professional Sector and Solar in Toulouse

Aeronautics and High-Tech

Toulouse, European aeronautics capital, concentrates Airbus, its subcontractors, and numerous technology companies. This industrial fabric offers considerable photovoltaic potential:

Industrial hangars: Vast roof surfaces (1,000-10,000 m²) allowing 150-1,500 kWc installations. Annual production: 200,000-2,000,000 kWh.

Significant daytime consumption: Industrial sites consume massively during the day (machine tools, air conditioning, lighting), optimizing self-consumption to 80-90%.

CSR objectives: Large Toulouse groups are strongly committed to decarbonization. Photovoltaics becomes a key element of their environmental strategy.

Tertiary and Services

Toulouse's tertiary sector (offices, shops, hotels) also presents an excellent profile:

Business zones (Blagnac, Labège, Montaudran): Recent buildings with flat roofs ideal for solar. Production covering 30-60% of needs depending on sizing.

University campuses: Toulouse has 130,000 students. Universities and schools are developing ambitious solar projects on their buildings.

Shopping centers: Large suburban surfaces offer exceptional roofs (5,000-20,000 m²). Potential of 750-3,000 kWc per site.

Occitanie Agriculture

Occitanie is France's leading agricultural region. Agricultural photovoltaics is developing rapidly:

Storage hangars: Vast, unobstructed roofs, daytime consumption (drying, ventilation), ideal profile.

Irrigation: Significant electricity consumption in summer, perfectly aligned with solar production.

Income diversification: Electricity sales provide stable supplementary income to farmers.

PVGIS24 offers simulations adapted to the agricultural sector, integrating specific consumption profiles (seasonality, irrigation, drying).

Discover PVGIS24 for professionals

Choosing an Installer in Toulouse

Dynamic Local Market

Toulouse and Occitanie concentrate numerous qualified installers, creating a mature and competitive market. This density benefits consumers with attractive prices and generally high quality.

Selection Criteria

RGE certification: Mandatory to benefit from subsidies. Verify on France Rénov' that certification is valid.

Local experience: An installer accustomed to Toulouse's climate knows the specificities: autan wind (structural dimensioning), summer heat (panel ventilation), local regulations (ABF if protected sector).

Verifiable references: Request recent installations in your area (Toulouse city center, suburbs, rural zone). Contact previous clients if possible.

Consistent PVGIS estimate: In Toulouse, output of 1,280-1,350 kWh/kWc is realistic. Beware of announcements >1,400 kWh/kWc (overestimation) or <1,250 kWh/kWc (too conservative).

Quality equipment:

• Panels: recognized brands (Tier 1), 25-year production warranty
• Inverter: European reference brands, 10+ year warranty
• Structure: dimensioned for autan wind, durable materials

Guarantees and insurance:

• Valid 10-year liability (request certificate)
• Workmanship warranty: 2-5 years minimum
• Responsive local after-sales service

Toulouse Market Prices

• Residential (3-9 kWc): €2,000-2,600/kWc installed
• SME/Tertiary (10-50 kWc): €1,500-2,000/kWc
• Agricultural/Industrial (>50 kWc): €1,200-1,600/kWc

Competitive prices thanks to a mature market and strong competition between installers. Slightly lower than Paris region, comparable to other major regional cities.

Points of Vigilance

Commercial canvassing: Toulouse, a large dynamic metropolis, is targeted by prospecting campaigns. Take time to compare several offers. Never sign during a first visit.

Reference verification: Request contact details of recent clients and contact them. A serious installer will not hesitate to connect you.

Read the fine print: Verify that the quote includes all services (administrative procedures, connection, commissioning, production monitoring).

Financial Aid in Occitanie

2025 National Aid

Self-consumption bonus (paid year 1):

• ≤ 3 kWc: €300/kWc or €900
• ≤ 9 kWc: €230/kWc or €2,070 max
• ≤ 36 kWc: €200/kWc or €7,200 max

EDF OA purchase rate: €0.13/kWh for surplus (≤9kWc), 20-year guaranteed contract.

Reduced VAT: 10% for installations ≤3kWc on buildings >2 years old (20% beyond).

Occitanie Region Aid

The Occitanie Region actively supports energy transition:

Eco-check housing: Supplementary aid for energy renovation work including photovoltaics (subject to income conditions, variable amounts €500-1,500).

REPOS Program (Energy Renovation for Solidarity Occitanie): Support and financial aid for low-income households.

Agricultural aid: Specific schemes for farms via the Occitanie Chamber of Agriculture.

Consult the Occitanie Region website or France Rénov' Toulouse to learn about current programs.

Toulouse Metropole Aid

Toulouse Metropole (37 municipalities) offers:

• Occasional subsidies for energy renovation
• "Toulouse Métropole Énergie" program with technical support
• Bonus for innovative projects (collective self-consumption, storage coupling)

Contact the Toulouse Métropole Energy Information Space.

Complete Financing Example

4 kWc installation in Toulouse:

• Gross cost: €9,200
• Self-consumption bonus: -€1,200 (4 kWc × €300)
• Occitanie Region aid: -€500 (if eligible)
• CEE: -€300
• Net cost: €7,200
• Annual production: 5,320 kWh
• 60% self-consumption: 3,190 kWh saved at €0.20
• Savings: €640/year + surplus sales €280/year
• ROI: 7.8 years

Over 25 years, net gain exceeds €15,500, excellent return for a moderate investment.

Frequently Asked Questions - Solar in Toulouse

Does Toulouse have enough sun for photovoltaics?

Yes! With 1,300-1,350 kWh/kWc/year, Toulouse ranks in the top 10 French cities for solar. Production is 20-25% higher than Paris and comparable to Mediterranean regions (only 5-10% less than Marseille). Toulouse sunshine is largely sufficient for a very profitable installation.

Does the autan wind damage panels?

No, if the installation is properly dimensioned. A serious installer calculates wind loads according to local standards. Modern panels and fixtures withstand gusts >150 km/h. The autan wind even brings an advantage: clear, bright skies after its passage.

What production in Toulouse winter?

Toulouse maintains good winter production thanks to frequent sunny days: 170-210 kWh/month for a 3 kWc installation. That's 30-40% more than Paris region in winter. Rainy periods are generally short.

Is air conditioning necessary to make the installation profitable?

No, air conditioning is not mandatory to make a Toulouse installation profitable. It improves summer self-consumption if present, but the installation remains profitable without it. A standard household with optimization reaches 55-65% self-consumption without air conditioning.

Do panels overheat in summer?

Toulouse summer temperatures (30-35°C) heat panels (up to 60-65°C), slightly reducing efficiency (-10 to -15%). However, exceptional sunshine largely compensates for this loss. PVGIS automatically integrates these factors into its calculations.

What lifespan in Toulouse?

Identical to the rest of France: 25-30 years for panels (25-year warranty), 10-15 years for inverter (replacement planned in budget). Toulouse's climate without extremes (no significant snow, no extreme heat waves) is even favorable to equipment longevity.

Professional Tools for Occitanie

For installers, engineering firms, and developers operating in Toulouse and Occitanie, advanced features quickly become essential facing a competitive market:

PVGIS24 brings real differentiation:

Multi-sector simulations: Model Occitanie's varied consumption profiles (residential, agricultural, aeronautics, tertiary) to precisely size each installation.

Personalized financial analyses: Integrate Occitanie regional aid, local electricity price, and sector specificities for ROI calculations adapted to each client.

Portfolio management: For Toulouse installers handling 50-80 annual projects, PVGIS24 PRO (€299/year, 300 credits, 2 users) represents less than €4 per study. Return on investment is immediate.

Professional credibility: Facing often well-informed Toulouse clientele (engineers, executives), present detailed PDF reports with graphs, comparative analyses, and 25-year financial projections.

Take Action in Toulouse

Step 1: Evaluate Your Potential

Start with a free PVGIS simulation for your Toulouse rooftop. See for yourself Occitanie's generous output.

Free PVGIS calculator

Step 2: Check Constraints

• Consult your municipality's PLU (Toulouse or metropole)
• Check protected sectors (Old Toulouse, Capitole)
• For condominiums, consult the regulations

Step 3: Compare Offers

Request 3-4 quotes from Toulouse RGE installers. Use PVGIS to validate their production estimates. A deviation >10% should alert you.

Step 4: Enjoy Occitanie Sun

Quick installation (1-2 days), simplified procedures, and you're producing from Enedis connection (2-3 months). Every sunny day becomes a source of savings.

Conclusion: Toulouse, Occitanie Solar Metropolis

With generous sunshine (1,300-1,350 kWh/kWc/year), a balanced climate between Mediterranean and Atlantic, and dynamic economic fabric (aeronautics, high-tech, agriculture), Toulouse and Occitanie offer exceptional conditions for photovoltaics.

Returns on investment of 8-12 years are very attractive, and 25-year gain frequently exceeds €15,000-20,000 for an average residential installation. The professional sector (tertiary, industry, agriculture) benefits from even shorter ROIs (6-8 years).

PVGIS provides you with precise data to realize your project. Don't leave your roof unexploited anymore: each year without panels represents €700-1,000 in lost savings depending on your installation.

Toulouse's geographic positioning offers a remarkable balance between generous sunshine and climate comfort, creating some of the most favorable conditions for maximizing both solar production and quality of life.

Start your solar simulation in Toulouse

Production data is based on PVGIS statistics for Toulouse (43.60°N, 1.44°E) and the Occitanie region. Use the calculator with your exact parameters for a personalized estimate of your rooftop.