Photovoltaic installations: Everything you need to know about French legislation

Consuel forms: yellow, green, blue, purple - guide 2025

Consuel issues four types of certificate of conformity (Cerfa forms) depending on the type of electrical installation:

  • Yellow form: for domestic installations (detached houses or outbuildings). Example: new build or complete renovation of the electrical panel.

  • Green form: for non-domestic installations (industrial buildings, tertiary sector, public areas, ERP).

  • Blue form: for electricity production facilities without storage (photovoltaic or wind power connected to the grid, without batteries). If the installation includes a new domestic section, a Yellow form may be required.

  • Violet form: for generating facilities with storage (photovoltaic or wind power with batteries, hybrid systems).

Summary table :

Consuel form Type of installation concerned
Yellow Domestic electrical installation (individual dwelling, house and outbuildings).
Green Non-domestic electrical installation (commercial and industrial buildings, communal areas, ERP).
Blue Electricity generation without storage (solar panels, wind turbines without batteries).
Purple Production of electricity with storage (PV or wind power with batteries).

For a private individual installing photovoltaic panels connected to the grid, the most common form is the blue Consuel. With batteries, it's the Consuel violet. These forms are available on the Consuel website or from approved installers. Consuel can check the installation before validating it.

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Implications for professionals

  • RGE QualiPV qualification: Mandatory to install photovoltaic systems and benefit from subsidies. Modules: Building, Elec ≤36 kVA, Elec ≤500 kVA(QualiPV | Qualit'EnR).

  • Type of customer: Individual (micro-BIC, exemption ≤3 kWp) or business (recoverable VAT, depreciation, BIC).

  • Protected sites: Planning permission required for any panel in a heritage site. Opinion of the Architecte des Bâtiments de France (ABF).

  • Safety and standards: NF C15-100 (low voltage), UTE C15-712 guide (PV), sectioning accessible to emergency services, ten-year compulsory insurance.

  • VAT 2025: 5.5% for installations ≤9 kWp if environmental and EMS criteria met(Order of 8 September 2025).

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Legislative and tax summary 2025

The French regulatory framework for photovoltaics depends on the size and purpose of the installation. Private individuals benefit from tax breaks, while professionals must comply with standards, town planning and connection contracts.

Type of installation Town planning declaration Enedis agreement Consuel certificate EDF OA contract VAT Income declaration
Self-consumption ≤3 kWp No (except protected sector) Yes (CACSI) No No 5.5% if criteria met, otherwise 10%. No
Self-consumption >3 kWp Yes Yes (CACSI) Yes (blue form) No 5.5% ≤9 kWp if criteria met, otherwise 20 No
Self-consumption with injection Yes Yes (CRAE) Yes (blue/violet if storage) Yes 5.5% ≤9 kWp if criteria met, otherwise 10% ≤3 kWp then 20 Yes, exempt ≤3 kWp
Total sale ≤9 kWp Yes Yes (CRAE) Yes (blue/violet if storage) Yes 5.5% if criteria met, otherwise 10% ≤3 kWp then 20 Yes, exempt ≤3 kWp
Total sales >9 kWp Yes Yes (CRAE) Yes (blue) Yes (EDF OA / call for tenders) 20 % Yes (taxable BIC)
Stand-alone off-grid installation Yes except in cases ≤3 kWp No No (recommended) No 20% (off-grid) No

Legend :

  • CACSI: Convention d'Autoconsommation Sans Injection (agreement for self-consumption without injection)
  • CRAE: Contrat de Raccordement, d'Accès au réseau et d'Exploitation (Connection, Network Access and Operation Contract)
  • EDF OA: EDF Obligation d'Achat

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VAT 2025: Since 1 October 2025, installations ≤9 kWp have benefited from a single rate of 5.5% if environmental and EMS criteria are met. Otherwise, previous rates (10% ≤3 kWp, then 20%).

* French legislation on photovoltaic installations

** Aides pour panneaux solaires - Ministry of the Economy

*** Technical files - Consuel (SC 144)