Here is a somewhat roundabout 7200 W solar power plant , without going through Consuel , while reducing costs as much as possible.
The goal: to exploit the loopholes in the current regulatory system without falling into illegality.
Why such an approach?
Here are the main reasons that justify this strategy:
The price of panels has fallen
Today, photovoltaic equipment ( panels , inverters , fixings) has become extremely accessible. It is no longer the cost that limits, but the paperwork and standards.The 3 kW limit without Consuel
In self-consumption, regulations impose a 3 kW ceiling to avoid having to have your installation inspected by Consuel. This is a serious constraint when aiming for true autonomy.Plug
and play still permitted in 2025 The principle of “plug and play” photovoltaics (installation without major works, often with micro-inverters and without declaration) is still tolerated. But it must be used strategically, because regulatory changes are inevitable in the medium term.
What this approach offers
Bypassing the 3 kW limit intelligently
By distributing production over several independent circuits, or over separate phases, it is possible to exceed 3 kW without triggering a control obligation.Use suitable micro-inverters
Some models allow modular installation and comply with the NFC 15-100 standard, while escaping the Consuel obligation, when they are connected downstream of a dedicated socket.Maximize self-consumption without injection
By correctly sizing your system, you can consume a maximum of your production without ever injecting it into the network, which further simplifies the process.Drastically reduce costs
By avoiding costs related to Consuel, the intervention of a certified electrician, or Enedis connection procedures, you can reduce the overall bill by 30 to 50%.
Table of Contents
Cheaper, smarter
The first lever for achieving solar autonomy without constraints is cost . And the good news is that the price of photovoltaic equipment has never been so low.
An ultra-competitive budget
Solar panels
Today, you can buy 12 600W panels , or 7200Wp in total, for around €1,400 . A performance that would have been unthinkable a few years ago.Hybrid inverters with storage
intelligent and modular solutions , such as:Zendure SolarFlow 2400 AC batteries
Zendure Hyper 2000
- ECOFLOW Kit Stream Ultra Solar Kit
or alternatives like Victron , Deye , Huawai , Beem etc.
These devices, often coupled with integrated batteries, allow energy to be managed locally and self-consumption to be optimized.
For a 7 kWc installation with storage , you need to allow approximately:
€3,600 for three hybrid inverters with integrated (or associated) batteries
Estimated total: around €5,000
For this price, you get a complete, plug and play 7 kWp solar power plant with integrated storage and no cumbersome procedures.
It's 2 to 3 times cheaper than an equivalent traditional installation with network connection and Consuel.
Regulatory optimization: Playing just under the 3 kW mark
This is where the approach becomes truly strategic. When you declare your installation to Enedis, you agree not to exceed a power of 3 kW .
But the subtlety lies in the exact definition of "installed power" : it is the lowest value between:
the total peak power of the panels,
and the sum of the nominal powers of the inverters.
Use this definition to your advantage
Bridable inverters: the keystone
There are inverters on the market (especially in Germany) whose output power can be limited by software or hardware .
Example: three inverters bridled at 1000 W each can support a 7200 Wp power plant (panels), while respecting the limit of 3 kW declared to Enedis.
You therefore produce more cumulatively, while remaining compliant on paper .
Urban planning: Anticipate to avoid setbacks
Urban planning regulations, for their part, are based solely on the peak power of the installed panels, not on that of the inverters .
Two strategies are opposed here:
The "temporary appliance" approach (not recommended)
Some consider "plug and play" panels to be mobile equipment, comparable to household appliances. This approach, while tempting, is legally fragile : in the event of a dispute or audit, it could turn against you.The responsible declarative approach (recommended)
The best way is to file a prior declaration of work with your town hall.
This simple procedure involves:the Cerfa form,
photos,
implementation plans.
The processing time is generally 1 month , without the need for Consuel at this stage.
Please note: the prior declaration only concerns the external appearance (aesthetics, landscaping integration), and not electrical compliance . Consuel only applies if the installation exceeds certain thresholds or is permanently connected to the domestic network.
Technical optimization: smooth the curve, not the production
The goal is no longer to maximize annual production with a massive peak in summer, but rather to produce energy when you really need it, avoiding unnecessary summer overproduction.
Key strategies for optimized production
Tailored panel tilt
Rather than aiming for a classic 30° south-facing tilt, opt for a steeper tilt of around 60°.
This configuration reduces excessive summer production, which is often wasted, and prioritizes production in winter, when the sun is lower and energy demand is higher.Dual orientation
Divide your installation into two groups of panels:
One half facing southeast or even east to capture energy in the morning,
The other half facing southwest or even west to produce at the end of the day.This distribution spreads solar production over the entire day and limits peaks of overproduction.
Concrete example: even under a very overcast sky, a dual-orientation installation can generate production equivalent to a south-facing installation thanks to better time spread.
Smart management of hybrid inverters and batteries
Modern inverters like the Anker Solar Bank or the Zendure Hyper 2000 are bidirectional and offer essential flexibility.
They can limit the output power of each inverter to stay below 1000 W if necessary,
Store excess energy in batteries when household consumption is lower than solar production,
Discharge batteries during consumption peaks (oven, water heater, etc.) or in the absence of sun (evening, night, bad weather).This agility makes it possible to smooth the production curve and use energy when it is most useful, while respecting the limit of 3 kW injected into the house.
The water heater as a thermal battery
A 200-liter hot water tank can store approximately 9 kWh of thermal energy.
Using surplus solar energy to heat water is a simple and effective solution for storing energy without systematically using additional batteries.
The Real Cost: A Quick Return on Investment
For an investment of around €5,000, a 7.2 kW peak (bridled) solar power plant can produce around 8,500 kWh per year.
Taking into account an estimated 50% loss due to throttling, conversion efficiencies and line losses – which is still a significant amount of energy – you get around 4,250 kWh of usable energy per year .
At an average cost of €0.25/kWh, the same price as purchasing electricity from the grid, this corresponds to an annual saving of around 1 000 €.
Return on investment
€5,000 investment / €1,000 annual savings = 5 years
This payback period is very attractive, especially when you consider that solar panels have a lifespan much longer than that of inverters, which are themselves designed to last between 10 and 15 years.
Over the lifetime of an inverter, the energy produced will cost you around €0.08/kWh , compared to €0.25/kWh if you buy your electricity from the grid.
The Future of Plug and Play: Anticipate Rather than Suffer
The risk associated with "plug and play" is a legitimate question. Regulations are likely to evolve in the coming months or years. However, this will not mean the end of "plug and play," but rather stricter oversight.
How can we anticipate this future regulation?
Dedicated Outlets
Only plug your solar equipment into specially designated outlets. Do not share these outlets with other devices.Weather Protection
Even if your outlets are waterproof, it is important to protect them effectively from the elements to ensure their durability and safety.Dedicated and oversized cabling
Run a dedicated, properly sized cable, often larger than necessary, between your solar outlets and your electrical panel. This ensures a constant flow of power, limits the risk of overheating, and ensures better reliability.Organizing the electrical panel
Prepare your panel for possible future separation between conventional domestic circuits and circuits linked to energy production (solar, electric vehicle charging station, heat pump, etc.).Batteries in a safe place
For safety reasons and to comply with insurance requirements, install your batteries outside, in a shed or protected area. This limits the risks to your main residence in the event of an incident, even if these remain very low.
The pros and cons of plug and play kits
Ultra-Simple Installation: No technical skills required, just “plug and play”.
Lower Initial Cost: More affordable than complete systems and DIY installation.
Flexibility and Mobility: Ideal for renters or those who move frequently.
Direct Electricity Bill Reduction: Less electricity to buy.
Simple Actions, Concrete Impact: An easy step towards more responsible consumption.
Simplified Administrative Procedures: Simplified for small installations.
No Resale of Electricity: Excess energy is lost, no possibility of resale.
Dependence on Sunlight: Limited impact if consumed at night or in bad weather.
Not Eligible for Aid: No subsidies or bonuses for small installations.
The results: Thinking differently about solar
If there's one thing to remember, it's this: 3 kW peak does not mean 3 kW continuous power. The 3 kW regulatory limit can be cleverly circumvented to produce much more, by spreading production throughout the day and throughout the year.
It's time to move beyond the dogma of maximum annual production. Rather than aiming for a large surplus in the summer, when demand is low, focus on seasonal and daily production that truly meets your needs. The goal isn't to achieve the highest annual figure, but to produce when you're charging your car for work in the winter or using the air conditioning in the summer.
This approach offers a new way of approaching solar self-consumption: more agile, more economical, and resolutely adapted to your real needs.
What do you think? Are you ready to adopt this innovative strategy to optimize your energy?
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