Building tradespeople and distributors for finishing work are concerned about the possible reduction in aid for photovoltaics

The Government has announced a draft decree aimed at reducing state support for small photovoltaic installations, providing for a reduction in the self-consumption premium and a significant drop in the purchase price for the sale of surplus. Such a decision would once again slow down a market that had only recently recovered from the sudden halt it suffered a few years ago following a moratorium.

CAPEB and COEDIS point out that the development of the photovoltaic market in the building sector is part of the need to develop renewable energies to contribute to the ecological transition and the reduction of CO2 emissions. In 2024, nearly 226 residential installations were carried out by more than 000 qualified companies employing between 5 and 000 people. And among these professionals are a large number of building craftsmen, supplied by professional distribution to the building finishing work.

CAPEB and COEDIS deplore this abrupt change in rules, which would on the one hand present professionals with a fait accompli and on the other hand dissuade project owners from investing in photovoltaics. The consequences would be all the more serious as these announced provisions would be retroactive to February 1, thus directly placing companies in difficulty with regard to current projects and immediately impacting their order books.

This would be a new, very negative signal for the construction sector, already weakened by an unfavourable economic climate and other impactful measures, such as the increase in VAT on THPE gas and fuel oil boilers, decided, let us recall, in the name of the energy transition and without notice.

CAPEB has decided to join forces with several players in the solar industry to address a common mail to the Prime Minister to alert him to the very damaging consequences of the announced draft decree, a letter that COEDIS supports.

"By deciding to withdraw from the development of renewable energies such as photovoltaics, the Government is confusing the message. Do we want to encourage moderation and self-consumption or promote electricity consumption? It seems to me that self-consumption is essential for us. It is a path to moderation and decarbonization. We must continue to help individuals who want to invest in photovoltaics and to self-consume. The Government's decision is incomprehensible." Jean-Christophe Repon, President of CAPEB

"Professional distribution in the building finishing sector is going through, like all the players in the building sector, a period of great difficulty, marked by an unprecedented contraction in activity. It is ready to play its part in the collective effort of sobriety and decarbonization of human activities, to which photovoltaics contribute. It is still necessary for the public authorities to stop constantly moving the lines, at the risk of discouraging the players in the field and aggravating the recessionary spiral in which the sector is unfortunately engaged." José Pretot, President of COEDIS

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.