Solar self-consumption vs. purchasing green electricity: which is the best option for your business?

In a context of an accelerated energy transition, increasing regulatory pressure, and unstable energy prices, businesses are looking to secure their supply while reducing their environmental impact. Two options are emerging: solar self-consumption and green electricity purchasing. But did you know that there are also hybrid models, such as on-site PPAs, that combine the advantages of both approaches? This article will help you make the right choice based on your energy profile, CSR objectives, and financial strategy.

What is solar self-consumption in businesses?

Solar self-consumption involves producing your own electricity via a solar photovoltaic installation (PV plants on the rooftop, photovoltaic carports or solar farm) and then consuming this energy in real time. By covering part of the site’s energy needs, this local production of green energy reduces its dependence on the national grid and limits its exposure to price increases.

In France, surplus electricity that is not consumed can be sold back to EDF Obligation d’Achat (EDF OA), thus providing additional income. This model can also be combined with an on-site PPA: a third-party producer finances, installs, and operates the photovoltaic equipment on the company’s premises, which consumes the energy produced via a fixed-price contract. This is known as third-party financing, a turnkey solution with no initial investment for the user company (see our financing page).

What is corporate green electricity purchasing?

Purchasing green electricity involves signing a contract with an energy supplier that guarantees a renewable source (wind, solar, hydro, biomass, etc.). This contract can take the form of:

A traditional contract with European or international guarantees of origin (GO or I-REC)
An off-site PPA, a direct contract with a renewable energy producer supplying the site via the national grid, often at a fixed price for 10 to 20 years

These models enable immediate greening of energy consumption without technical constraints or initial investment, while strengthening CSR strategy.

To find out more about this subject:👉 Understanding guarantees of origin (ADEME)

What are the criteria for choosing the best option?

1/ Energy needs

Solar self-consumption: suitable for sites with high daytime needs and usable space (rooftop, land, or parking lot)
Green electricity/off-site PPA: better suited to distributed or multi-site consumption profiles

2/ Consumption profile

Self-consumption: ideal for industrial, logistics, or commercial activities with high continuous consumption
Green electricity: relevant for service-based SMEs or multi-site structures

3/ Financial and environmental objectives

Profitability: well-designed self-consumption can reduce energy bills in the long term
Carbon neutrality: both options contribute to decarbonization, but self-consumption has a local and more directly measurable impact

Comparison table

Criteria	Solar self-consumption	Purchase of green electricity
Initial investment	High (installation, maintenance)	None or very low
Coût du kWh sur 20 ans	Très compétitif à long terme	Variable selon le marché
Savings achieved	Significant and long-lasting	Lower, depending on prices
Energy independence	Partial autonomy from the grid	None
Environmental impact	Direct: local production	Indirect: support for the renewable energy sector
Brand image/CSR	Highly rewarding	Positive
Technical constraints	Land issues, maintenance	None

Advantages and disadvantages

Solar self-consumption

Advantages

Sustainable reduction in energy bills: Electricity produced in-house significantly reduces purchases from suppliers, ensuring long-term savings.
Increased property value (particularly rooftops and parking lots): Installing photovoltaic panels allows unused space to be put to good use and leveraged for energy performance. For more information, see the article > Photovoltaics on parking lots and rooftops: an underutilized driver for the energy transition of major retailers
Enhanced CSR image: Committing to solar self-consumption demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainable development, which is valued by clients, partners, and employees.
Concrete contribution to the energy transition: Producing and consuming green electricity locally reduces dependence on fossil fuels and contributes directly to the decarbonization of the economy.

Disadvantages:

High initial investment (except in the case of on-site PPA or third-party financing)
💡 Good to know: operators such as GreenYellow can finance the entire project through a PPA contract or third-party financing.
Regulatory and technical constraints (urban planning, connection, etc.)
Production monitoring and maintenance to be planned

Purchase of green electricity

Advantages

Quick implementation: Simply choose a green energy supplier and sign a contract, allowing the company to quickly commit to the energy transition without long implementation times.
No technical constraints: Purchasing green electricity does not require any installation or modification of existing systems, making it a simple and accessible solution.
Improved carbon footprint in the short term: By opting for electricity from renewable sources, the company immediately reduces its indirect CO₂ emissions (scope 2), thereby improving its carbon footprint.

Disadvantages:

Dependence on market prices: Costs can fluctuate depending on changes in energy prices, making it difficult to control expenses in the long term without a fixed-price contract.
Lack of autonomy: The company remains completely dependent on the electricity grid and external suppliers for its energy supply.
Less visible impact on the local area: Unlike local production, the purchase of green electricity is less noticeable to local stakeholders, as the source of the energy is often far from the place of consumption.

Technical and regulatory constraints

FOR SELF-CONSUMPTION:

Administrative authorization: prior declaration or permit depending on the local urban planning regulations
Technical standards: include rooftop strength, connection to the Enedis grid, and applicable electrical regulations
EDF OA contract: allows surplus electricity to be sold at a regulated tariff
(NB: this mechanism is relevant if part of the production is fed into the grid. In the case of total self-consumption, this implies deliberately oversizing the installation to allow for a mix of self-consumption and grid injection.)
Feed-in tariffs: defined by the CRE and variable according to the power and type of plant

FOR GREEN ELECTRICITY CONTRACTS:

Contract simplicity: selection of a certified supplier or producer via PPA
Guarantees of origin (GO/I-REC): electronic proof of renewable origin, essential for avoiding greenwashing
🔗 Learn more about I-REC certificates (I-REC Standard)
PPA (Power Purchase Agreement): fixed-price contract between the company and a producer. It secures energy costs without investing in system.

To go further…

… … What if you went beyond the choice between purchasing and producing green electricity?

Implementing a BEES (Battery Energy & Efficiency System) type energy management system allows you to maximize the profitability of your photovoltaic installation or PPA. Coupled with a battery and smart monitoring, this system allows you to:

smooth consumption and reduce power peaks
improve the self-consumption rate
secure your energy supply in the event of a power outage

💡 Did you know? By combining local production, storage, and energy efficiency, you can achieve up to a 40% reduction in your overall energy bills.

🔗 Learn more about the BEES solutions offered by GreenYellow

3 CASE STUDIES TO HELP YOU MAKE YOUR CHOICE

References – different types of solar plants installed by GreenYellow for its clients

To better understand the different possible configurations, here are three projects carried out by GreenYellow, illustrating different types of contracts (self-consumption, PPA, etc.) and PV plants (Solar Rooftop, photovoltaic carport installation, and ground-mounted solar farm).

🔹 SOLAR ROOFTOP – SHOPRITE (SOUTH AFRICA)

The Shoprite Group, a leading retailer in Africa, has entrusted GreenYellow with the photovoltaic equipment for five of its stores across South Africa. The project aims to produce green, local, and competitive energy, while making use of the rooftops and parking lots of these establishments.

> > Model chosen: self-consumption at commercial sites with reduced grid dependency:

Installed capacity: 1.4 MWp
Estimated annual production: 1.8 GWh
Emissions avoided: 1,979 tons of CO₂ / year
Environmental equivalent: 10,000 trees planted

🔗 See the full business case

🔹 PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR CARPORTS – ROLAND-GARROS AIRPORT (REUNION ISLAND)

In order to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, Airport Roland Garros in Reunion Island has implemented, with GreenYellow, the largest solar self-consumption project in France’s overseas territories. The installation covers 11 shaded areas, covering an area equivalent to two football fields.

> > Model chosen: self-consumption without client investment

Installed capacity: 1.3 MWp
Estimated annual production: 2.2 GWh
Emissions avoided: 1,600 tons of CO₂ / year
Environmental equivalent: +6,300 trees planted

🔗 To find out the project in detail

🔹 GROUND-MOUNTED SOLAR FARM – OI TELEFONIA (BRAZIL)

As part of its decarbonization strategy, telecom operator Oi Telefonia has partnered with GreenYellow to deploy five solar farms in several Brazilian states. This project provides renewable energy to more than a thousand of the group’s telecom systems.

> Model chosen: decentralized production via off-site PPA

Total installed capacity: 18 MWp
Estimated annual production: 36.4 GWh
Emissions avoided: 1,560 tons of CO₂ / year
Environmental equivalent: 7,800 trees planted

🔗 See the full business case

> Discover examples of client achievements in solar production

Conclusion: what is the best option?

The choice of an energy supply solution can only be tailor-made. If your company has usable space and is aiming for structural savings, self-consumption seems to be the right way to go. On the other hand, for a quick, flexible, and constraint-free commitment, purchasing green electricity seems appropriate.

💡 In any case, these two approaches are complementary and can be combined to optimize results.

👉 Want to explore the most cost-effective solution for your company? Contact our experts for a turnkey project.