
The self-consumption bonus in 5 questions for Solar Panels
The solar panels self-consumption bonus is state aid which aims to encourage the installation of solar panels to produce one’s own electricity. This aid can reach attractive amounts, which vary depending on the power of your photovoltaic installation. If you are eligible for the self-consumption bonus, you can count on a significant amount of money which will help you make the purchase of your solar panels profitable more quickly.
However, not everyone can benefit from this state aid: you must meet strict criteria, such as where you install your panels, a power limit for your solar installation or even the way in which you use the energy. electricity produced by your Solar energy in Australia . SO, who can benefit from the self-consumption bonus? What principles must encountered to be entitled? How to calculate the amount of this bonus? What steps should you take to receive your bonus? We cover the subject in 5 questions.
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What is the self-consumption bonus?
The State created the photovoltaic self-consumption bonus, also known as the investment bonus, in 2017.
Self-consumption: definition
Self-consumption refers to the fact of consuming the energy that we produce at home, in particular with Solar Panel Sydney . When solar panels are used to produce electricity, we speak of photovoltaic self-consumption. It stands out from thermal solar panels, which produce heat (to power a water heater, for example).
Self-consumption therefore allows:
- reduce your electricity bills;
- to be less energy dependent;
- and invest in renewable energies.
Purchasing Solar Panel in Australia to start self-consumption often represents a significant initial investment, which will take several years to pay off. This return on investment can be achieved through the reduction of energy bills, but also through state aid such as the self-consumption bonus as well as the possibility of selling surplus production.
A bonus for investing in the ecological transition
By creating the photovoltaic self-consumption bonus, the State therefore wanted to reduce the weight of this initial investment, and encourage individuals and businesses to engage in photovoltaic self-consumption. This bonus therefore aims to:
help as many people as possible produce and consume Solar energy in Australia , which is abundant and non-polluting;
and enable them to contribute to the energy transition. However, this state aid concerns specific solar installations, which must meet strict criteria.
2. Who can benefit from the self-consumption bonus?
All individuals and all businesses (learn more about business self-consumption) can benefit from the self-consumption bonus, without resource conditions. The only obligation is to opt for photovoltaic self-consumption with sale of the surplus. It means that:
- you consume part of the electricity you produce;
- and you resell the other part of your electricity production to EDF Obligation d’Achat (EDF OA), or to another obligated buyer, who reinjects it into the network to supply neighboring homes.
The self-consumption bonus therefore necessarily combined with the profits made from the sale of the surplus. This sale is obligatory for EDF, which buys back all the kWh that you produce but do not consume. The purchase price re-evaluated every 3 months. This price may differ depending on the power of the installations: those with more than 9 kWC, for example, may see their kWh sold cheaper than others.
In other words, you cannot benefit from the photovoltaic self-consumption bonus if you choose to:
- consume all your electricity production (total consumption);
- or resell your entire electricity production (total sale).
What are the criteria to be met to obtain the self-consumption bonus?
In addition to the choice of selling surplus. The conditions for being eligible for the self-consumption bonus are practical and technical:
Install your solar panels on your roof
In fact, only photovoltaic panels installed on your roof allow you to benefit from the self-consumption bonus. Installation can be done on a sloping roof, or a flatter roof terrace.
To attach your Solar Panel Sydney to your roof, you have 2 options:
- The integration of your solar panels into the roof: the panels then serve as construction materials and become part of your roof, by removing tiles;
- And the superposition of your solar panels, to install them over your roof: the panels are not part of the envelope of the house, and are fixed to the roof, which avoids it being damaged.
Typically, individuals opt for overlay, because installation is simpler, less expensive, and less risky to the roof. In fact, by removing tiles, we sometimes risk damaging the waterproofing of the roof.
It is therefore not possible to benefit from the self-consumption bonus with ground or mobile Solar Panel in Australia (camper van, etc.).
Have your solar panels installed by a qualified installer or certified by a state-approved organization
It is legally possible to install solar panels yourself, by purchasing a solar kit, for example. However, to benefit from the self-consumption bonus, it is necessary to call on a qualified professional or certified by an organization approved by the State. Beyond this legal obligation, having your Solar Panel in Australia installed by a professional has several advantages:
- If you want to attach your solar panels to your roof, working at height can be dangerous. Calling on a company equipped and accustomed to this type of work therefore allows you to limit the risks.
- Even if you have good DIY skills, the installation of solar panels involves several skills to estimate the best location depending on the sunshine, determine the ideal inclination of the Solar Panel in Australia , carry out the connection to the network or maintenance, etc. By calling on a professional, you bring in people who have multiple skills and who will be able to adapt to your needs.
- The intervention of a qualified professional or certified by a state-approved organization is also necessary to sell the electricity you produce using your photovoltaic panels.
- The self-consumption bonus is not the only state aid that requires the intervention of a qualified or certified professional.
- To avoid scams and find a certified professional near you, use online resources such as the France Rénov’ directory.
Have an installation whose power does not exceed 100 kWp
The production capacity of a photovoltaic installation is calculated using the peak power, which is estimated:
- in peak watts (Wp);
- or in peak kilowatt (kWp).
Please note: this power corresponds to the production capacity of the photovoltaic installation in optimal conditions: strong sunshine, an outside temperature of 25°C, suitable weather conditions, etc. This indicator therefore does not precisely indicate the quantity of electricity your solar panels will be able to produce, because other factors come into play. However, it allows you to estimate the number of Solar Panel in Australia necessary to meet your needs: it is estimated that a house of 100 m² generally requires a solar installation with a power of around 3 kWp.
You an individual, there is a good chance that your installation is eligible for the photovoltaic self-consumption bonus, because the ceiling not to be exceeded is 100 kWp . If you are a professional and you are planning a large installation, anticipate your needs, the number and the power of your solar panels as best you can if you wish to benefit from the self-consumption bonus.
3. What is the amount of the self-consumption bonus?
The amount of the photovoltaic self-consumption bonus depends on the size of your installation, and varies from one quarter to the next.
Self-consumption bonus and size of the solar installation
There are 4 types of photovoltaic installation size, always estimated in relation to their peak power:
- less than 3 kWp;
- between 3 and 9 kWp;
- between 9 and 36 kWp;
and between 36 and 100 kWp (the ceiling not to exceeded to remain eligible for the self-consumption bonus).
In short: the more powerful your installation, the lower your premium will be. So be sure to optimize your self-consumption.
Self-consumption bonus and connection date
The other factor which determines the amount of your self-consumption bonus is the date of your connection to the network manager (Enedis, for example). From one quarter to the next, the CRE (Energy Regulatory Commission) changes the amount of the premium depending on the number of recent connection requests.
The amount of the premium for installations connected in 2023, (rates for the 2nd quarter of 2023 – from 04/01/2023 to 07/31/2023):
- €510/kWp for installations of less than 3 kWp;
- €380/kWp for installations between 3 and 9 kWp;
- 210 € / kWp for installations between 9 and 36 kWp;
To estimate the total amount of your premium, multiply these amounts by the capacity of your photovoltaic installation. If your production capacity 3 kWp, theory entitled to a self-consumption bonus of €1,530: 3 kWp*€510/kWp.
You can find all the Solar Panel Price in Australia in force depending on the connection date of your installation on the photovoltaique.info website.
4. What steps must be taken to benefit from this assistance?
In theory, you don’t have to do anything. The self-consumption bonus request made automatically when you connect your photovoltaic installation to the network. When your network connection request complete, the amount of your premium calculate, and will no longer change according to quarterly price variations. Discover our article dedicated to administrative procedures: self-consumption procedures.
5. When the self-consumption bonus paid?
The premium pay by EDF OA or another obligated buyer at the first billing deadline, that’s say one year after commissioning and signing of the purchase contract, at the same time as the income linked to surplus sales.
The premium pay in one go if your connection made after 01/11/2022. The only special case: installations of more than 9 kWp receive 80% of their premium at that time,. Then 5% per year for 4 years. If you connected your installation before 01/11/2022. Your entire premium may pay to you in 5 installments over 5 years. Thanks to the photovoltaic self-consumption bonus, you can make your solar panel installation profitable more quickly. For the most recent installations, the bonus pay in one go, compared to 5 previously. A welcome development for embarking more quickly on self-consumption and contributing to the Solar energy in Australia transition.
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