Collective self-consumption grows in France

After years of development, collective self-consumption (ACC) is gaining momentum across all regions of France. This system lets neighbors share locally produced renewable electricity—such as solar, wind, or hydro—allowing them to control their energy use, support green sources, and lower their bills.

Marseille's solar-powered housing project

The Corail residence in Marseille's 16th arrondissement features around 80 solar panels on its roofs. On sunny days, these panels can produce about 40 MWh of electricity annually—enough for ten families. The project is managed by Massilia Sun System (MSS), a citizen cooperative with 280 residents.

Citizen-run energy production

MSS operates under the slogan “Photovoltaic energy for and by citizens.” The company is run voluntarily by its members, who fund the solar power plants through savings. This local green energy production helps reduce carbon emissions and bills, aligning with climate goals.

How the electricity is shared

Locally produced electricity is injected into the public network managed by Enedis. Linky meters monitor production and consumption in real time, allowing the electricity to be distributed among members of the ACC loop. Participants see a decrease in their bills as they consume more locally produced power.

Rules for ACC loops

An ACC loop must operate within a local radius—up to two kilometers in urban areas, ten in peri-urban, and twenty in rural regions. The production capacity must not exceed 5 MW, and a legal entity must manage the operations. For Corail, this role is taken by a resident association supported by MSS.

Community involvement and benefits

Residents of Corail see ACC as a way to align with their values of ecology, energy efficiency, and community. The project is part of a broader movement of participatory housing where residents contribute to the design and management of their living spaces.

Expanding beyond Marseille

Other communities, like Vitrolles and the Queyras, are also embracing ACC. Vitrolles' “Our Vitrolles Energy” project includes solar panels on public buildings, while the Queyras has created a solidarity-based ACC loop that shares surplus electricity with vulnerable households.

Rising popularity of ACC

The number of ACC loops has grown rapidly, with 2,620 active loops in the third quarter of 2026—nearly double from the previous year. This growth is partly due to the unprofitability of selling electricity to the global network, which has reduced the purchase price of surplus electricity to just 1.1 cents per kWh.

Challenges of managing collective loops

Managing a collective ACC loop is more complex than individual self-consumption. It requires coordinating multiple consumers with different usage patterns. For example, solar energy produced at 2 p.m. must be consumed within half an hour or it is lost to the grid. Storing this energy is avoided due to high costs and environmental concerns.

MSS's new model and future plans

Massilia Sun System is shifting from selling electricity to the grid to a model focused on community use. The company has about a dozen volunteers and 280 shareholders, each with a vote in governance. MSS aims to generate financial returns while supporting local energy transition projects.

Expanding solar projects

MSS is planning to invest in larger, more profitable power plants suited for collective use. It has partnered with Enercoop and Scop-Ti to install a solar plant on the latter's roof, which will cut its energy bill by about 60% and benefit nearby businesses.

Growing network of citizen energy projects

Across France, citizen groups are forming to fund, install, and manage local renewable energy plants with support from national networks like Shared Energy. The South PACA branch has supported thirty citizen cooperatives, representing over a hundred power plants, mainly solar, but also including hydropower and biomass.

Shared energy and solidarity

At AMEP, participants in ACC loops share their surplus electricity for free with neighbors, associations, and vulnerable households. This model emphasizes community support and environmental responsibility.

Corail's future and community goals

Corail is the second participatory housing project in Marseille, managed by a collective of residents with the support of a social landlord and an architect. The building includes shared spaces and is designed to be low carbon, with residents planning to buy their homes by 2027.