top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

French city’s plan to encourage residents to invest in solar panels

A new scheme aims to give locals a return on investment that is higher than the interest rate on the popular French ‘Livret A’ savings account, through energy sales

The city is offering public roofs to local investors, who will receive a return for their money via electricity sales Pic: AlyoshinE / Shutterstock

The city of Lyon is inviting residents to invest in solar panels on 12 public buildings, which it says will give them a return on their investment more profitable than that from France’s popular  ‘Livret A’ savings accounts.

The mayoral office has offered residents 12 roofs and invited willing investors and locals to help finance and build the project. 

Mayoral deputy for ecology, Sylvain Godineau, said that the scheme could have an educational interest as well as an environmental one. 

He told FranceInfo: "These solar roofs will allow us to do educational workshops, to explain to children. It also gives parents the opportunity to invest in the roof if they like the project. It creates a direct link between a child, their family, and the school they go to every day.”

The scheme will rent the roofs to individual or collective investors. They will receive a return on their investment via the sale of the energy produced.

Mr Godineau said that the scheme would be a sort of "citizen investment" that would be “slightly more profitable investment than the Livret A these days”.

The regulated French Livret A savings account will give an interest rate of 3% from February 1.

Read more: The tax-free French savings account open to all with 3% interest rate

Timothée Romier, from the Coopawatt association, said that the initiative was “also a way to take more control over the environmental transition, and create a new link between the production of renewable energy and master its production over the country”. 

Related articles

Is our income from selling home solar panel power taxable in France? 

Solar panels on French property: how to make your own electricity

Easy-fit French solar panels could cut electricity bill by €30 a month

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Healthcare in France*
Featured Help Guide
- Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors.
Get news, views and information from France