Do yourself and the environment a favour with renewable energies

At the European level, 23% of France's energy will have to be provided by renewable resources by 2020

. "Grenelle 1" French environmental law confirms this objective. Renewable energies currently account for 6% of France's overall energy production.

Since November 2009, the French government has noticed the growth of an unprecedented speculative bubble on the solar and photovoltaic markets. Therefore, the financial commitment over 20 years has reached dozens of billions Euros. Because of this unexpected development, the government has taken measures in order to curb speculation, suppress windfall effects and protect the French population's purchasing power. A legislative bill was passed in January 2010 to ensure fairer solar project remuneration, whatever the sector.

One of the major incentives is the ability by law for people having solar and photovoltaic panels, to sell the energy they produce to Electricit de France (EDF) or private distributors. These companies are legally bound to buy this energy surplus. Therefore, a private individual who installs solar or photovoltaic panels that are connected to a distribution network has the guarantee, if he or she so wishes, to sell the energy back at an interesting state-fixed price. The existing prices can change according to the type of building considered and the quantity of energy produced. Prices go from 0.31 to 0.58 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). In March 2010, there were in France 58 198 systems connected to the distribution network, and 66 599 systems waiting to be.

A public committee was also created in early 2010 to help private individuals and panels installers choosing their photovoltaic system. Every system that has been up and running since the 14th of January 2010 will benefit from the new buying price of 0.58/kWh during 20 years. After this period, the system owner will have to renegotiate the price with EDF or any other distributor. The installation of solar or photovoltaic panels can also allow the property's owner to benefit from a tax credit of 50%, with a limit of 5000 for a single person and 8000 for a married couple without children. A tax credit of 40% on loan interests can also be granted, however it is only available for a main home.

The French market's growth rate is important, and has reached more than 150% several times. Indeed, it is getting very interesting to acquire one of these devices: the cost of their installation is reduced through state-funding, they can be installed on every flat surface, and their output is very efficient, a few square meters being enough to provide enough electricity for a day-to-day use in a family house.

Furthermore, a new environmental thermal regulation is being prepared, the "RT 2012", and will replace the current regulation of 2005 in 2013. With a house matching these regulations, one can save up to dozens of thousands of Euros. Indeed, in addition to the 50% tax credit mentioned above, one can benefit from 3000 of tax credit for the installation of an under-floor water-heating system, 1500 for a heat pump, and from 6000 to 8000 for photovoltaic roof tiles. Even though the rough cost of such a house is approximately 10 to 15 % more expensive, financial aids and energy sale make it more interesting and less expensive on the long run. Sextant Properties can provide you with such a bio-climatic house through his partner network. Moreover, the sunniest regions in France obviously benefit from larger financial aids, and many new-build developers consider such panels as an absolute requirement during the construction.

Do yourself and the environment a favour with renewable energies

By: Matthieu Cany

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