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Tenant: can you install a solar kit? Yes — here's how
This is one of the most persistent misconceptions about solar power: “I'm a tenant, so it's not for me.” Wrong. The plug & play kit was invented precisely for your situation: nothing fixed to the building, nothing to request in most cases, and on moving day, your power station leaves with you in the moving truck. Here are your rights, the steps to take and your savings — situation by situation.
The principle that changes everything: you pay the electricity bill
Let's start with the obvious fact we tend to forget: the electricity for your home is covered by your contract and your bill — not the owner's. Every kWh your kit produces and you consume is therefore a saving that comes back to you, the tenant, 100%. The owner neither has to pay nor receive anything: the kit is your equipment, just like your washing machine.
The tenant's golden rule: as long as nothing is fixed to the building, you do not need to ask anyone for permission. Placed on the floor of your balcony, on the terrace or in the garden, the kit falls under your private use — like a barbecue or garden furniture. No permission required
Your rights, situation by situation
| Your installation | Owner's permission? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Placed on the ground: balcony, terrace, private garden | No | Nothing is modified in the home — private use of your space |
| Fixed to the railing, visible on the façade | Yes, in writing | The building's external appearance is affected (and the condominium association may also have a say) |
| Drilled or screwed into a wall, façade or roof | Yes, in writing | This modifies the building structure — never do it without permission |
| In social housing (HLM landlord) | Same principle | Placed on the ground: nothing to request; any fixed installation: landlord's permission. Some internal regulations govern balconies — an email to the landlord clears up any doubt |
For details about locations (and which one produces the most for you), our guide balcony, terrace, garden: where to install your kit covers everything — including the case of a vertical panel against a railing, which produces much better results than its reputation suggests.
The formalities: the same as for everyone else, that is to say, almost none
Being a tenant does not change anything about the formalities — they are minimal and in your name, not the owner's. A free online declaration to Enedis (the CACSI, ten minutes), an email to your home insurance provider — the one you already have as a tenant — and that's it. No Consuel, no town hall application for a kit placed on the ground, and no landlord signature on anything. The complete step-by-step guide is in our guide plug & play kit: is it legal?.
On moving day: your kit comes with you
This is the argument that finally overturns the misconception: unlike roof-mounted panels, your kit is movable property. On moving day, you unplug it, load it into the truck, and it starts producing again on the next balcony. Two minutes of paperwork are all it takes: notify Enedis that the declaration for the old address is ending, and submit a new CACSI for the new address (free of charge). At heart, a tenant's investment is exactly that: equipment that follows you from one lease to the next — and continues to pay for itself while you move from city to city.
What savings can a tenant make?
The calculation is the same as for a homeowner, because the bill is the same. An 800 to 1000 W kit offsets your home's base consumption — refrigerator, internet box and standby loads — and typically saves €150 to €300 per year depending on how much time you spend at home during the day; with a small battery, the savings rise to around €330 per year and the kit pays for itself before its third year. All the figures and the typical daily profile are in our complete plug & play guide.
And if the owner asks you, “what's in it for me?”, there is an answer too: a home with a lower electricity bill is easier to rent out, and a tenant with a kit has not modified the building structure. Many owners, once the question is raised, even give permission for a railing-mounted installation — a polite email with a photo of the kit is often enough.
Your balcony can pay part of your electricity bill. Even if you're renting.
Choose my plug & play kit 04 49 42 00 99Frequently asked questions
Can my owner ban a kit placed on the floor of my balcony?
No, provided that nothing is fixed to the building and your use remains normal: a kit placed on the floor falls under the private enjoyment of your home, like any other movable item. Only installations fixed to a railing, wall or façade require the owner's written permission.
Is the Enedis declaration made in my name or the owner's?
Yours: the CACSI is linked to the holder of the home's electricity contract — that is, you. The owner does not appear anywhere in the process and does not need to be informed about a kit placed on the ground.
What about a shared rental?
The same principle applies: the declaration is made in the name of the electricity contract holder. The savings benefit the shared bill — a kit is easy to share, and it is even one of the best collective investments for a shared home: a few dozen euros each, with savings for everyone.
My balcony faces north. Is it a lost cause?
Due north, yes, it is not worth the effort. But check before giving up on the project: a north-east or north-west balcony catches the morning or late-afternoon sun, a garden or courtyard may offer a better spot, and a panel placed a few metres away with an outdoor extension cable can change everything. If in doubt, send us two photos: we'll tell you in a few minutes what it is worth.
What happens if I move out?
You take your kit with you, and the home is returned exactly to its original condition — that is the whole point of placing it on the ground: no marks, no restoration work and no discussion about your deposit. Simply remember to close the CACSI for the address you are leaving.
This framework applies to a plug & play kit placed without fixing it to the building structure; leases, condominium regulations and landlords' internal rules may provide for specific provisions — if in doubt, a written exchange with the owner or landlord serves as evidence. Savings estimated using the EDF Tarif Bleu, 1st half of 2026 (0.1940 €/kWh incl. VAT). Article updated in July 2026.
