This is a first in France.
From this week, it will be possible to rent solar panels with In Sun We Trust (ISWT), a Franco-Norwegian start-up.
After Norway, Sweden and Spain, the group is launching in our territory this brand new offer based on the principle of long-term rental.
“Originally, we specialized in the installation of panels,” explains David Callegari, co-founder and now France boss.
But we realized that the development of photovoltaics still had many obstacles for individuals.
“Financial first, since the installation of solar panels costs at least several thousand euros, depending on the surface, the specificities of the roof and the power required.
The ISWT rental offer is offered from 45 euros per month, all inclusive, for a power of approximately 3 peak kilowatts (kWp), or approximately 8 panels, for a surface area of 15 m2.
While the proliferation of scams can also discourage many individuals, ISWT works for its part with a hundred approved local partners, all holders of the RGE label (recognized guarantor of the environment), which allows access to aid from the State.
"Renting panels therefore makes it possible to try the solar adventure while taking very little risk," assures the 41-year-old entrepreneur.
A minimum ten-year commitment
Please note, however, that a minimum ten-year commitment is required.
“For legal reasons specific to France,” he explains.
But either way, installing or uninstalling is expensive, and the panels aren't always reusable.
It is necessarily a long-term investment.
"And to warn by the way:" Not all homes, uses and obviously locations, depending on directions and levels of sunshine, are moreover not suitable.
Thus, the owners of a gas-heated home or of a second home used only in summer will be advised not to take such a step.
Two options are possible.
The first, self-generated electricity is sold to EDF at an advantageous rate (around 15 euro cents per kilowatt hour).
The second, the most favored by individuals, is based on self-consumption.
The surplus can always be sold to EDF, but at a lower price (10 cents per kWh).
Enough to achieve at least several hundred euros of savings per year on your electricity bill, depending on your production and consumption.
If ISWT remains the owner of the installation for twenty years, "we offer our customers the possibility of buying it back after ten years", adds David Callegari.
Just like what is practiced in the automobile where three quarters of new car purchases are made today via an LOA (rental with option to purchase).
It is certainly not the most economical solution compared to a cash purchase, but it offers superior guarantees and security.
"If there is the slightest problem, we are responsible," recalls the boss.
In concrete terms, this amounts to having a parts and labor guarantee for the duration of the rental.
"
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At the end of the twenty years, and for an administrative fee of 300 euros, the equipment becomes the property of the customer.
“It can still operate for up to twenty more years,” he says.
Only the inverters
(Editor's note: which transform the direct current produced by the panels into alternating current circulating in the network)
may possibly require replacement.
In five years of existence, In Sun We Trust has already completed more than 5,500 installations.
400 more are in progress.
