Best solar panel installer 2026
Solar panel installers compared on support, equipment quality, network and after-sales service. Ranking scored out of 100 according to our methodology.
- For self-consumption with surplus resale, the installation must be carried out by an RGE-certified craftsman to open entitlement to subsidies and to the EDF OA purchase obligation contract.
- Otovo (which absorbed In Sun We Trust) operates as a marketplace of local installers; Cap Soleil Énergie is a national RGE installer; Sunology targets self-consumption with plug-and-play kits.
- ⚠️ Since 5 June 2026, the self-consumption bonus has been abolished for new installations and the surplus buyback by EDF OA has fallen to about 1.1 c€/kWh excl. tax (guaranteed for 20 years); installations connected before this date keep the old amounts.
- ⚠️ Prices and subsidies change — request several quotes and check your eligibility.
Installing solar panels is a commitment over several years: the choice of installer counts as much as that of the equipment, and RGE certification conditions access to subsidies as well as to the surplus buyback contract by EDF OA. The framework changed in 2026 — the self-consumption bonus was abolished on 5 June for new installations and the surplus buyback tariff was sharply lowered — which shifts the benefit towards direct self-consumption. This comparison is an editorial ranking scored out of 100 according to an identical grid for all players, to help frame a solar project.
Our methodology
Each option is scored out of 100 against weighted criteria, using the same grid for all.
| Criterion | What we look at | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Study, procedures, project follow-up | 25 |
| Equipment quality | Panels, inverters, warranties | 25 |
| Network & coverage | Availability of installers by region | 20 |
| After-sales service | Maintenance, responsiveness, customer reviews | 20 |
| Price transparency | Clarity of quotes and absence of hidden fees | 10 |
The 2026 ranking
Otovo
Cap Soleil Énergie
Sunology
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Comparison table
| Installer | Support | Equipment | Coverage | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otovo | Complete | Good | National | 92 |
| Cap Soleil Énergie | Thorough | Good | National | 88 |
| Sunology | Kits | Adequate | Online | 84 |
Frequently asked questions
How to choose a solar panel installer?
Compare several quotes, the quality of the equipment offered (panels, inverter, warranties), the support with procedures and the RGE certification, essential for subsidies. Support and equipment together weigh 50 % of our score.
Is self-consumption still profitable in 2026?
Profitability depends on sunshine, your self-consumption rate and sizing. Note: since 5 June 2026, the self-consumption bonus has been abolished for new installations and the surplus buyback by EDF OA has been sharply reduced (~1.1 c€/kWh excl. tax). The benefit therefore rests mainly on the electricity you consume directly. A personalized study remains essential.
Does the installer need certification?
Yes. Using an RGE-certified installer is required to benefit from support schemes and the purchase obligation contract, and to guarantee the compliance of the installation. Check the certification before signing.
🗓️ Update history
- 05/08/2026 — Verification of players and facts, 2026 update.
- 18/07/2026 — Update of installers and 2026 ranking.
- 05/04/2026 — Addition of the after-sales service criterion.
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