Summarize with AI
Is solar energy renewable?
Mis à jour le
March 6, 2026
5
Min reading
We often hear that solar energy is green energy. What does that really mean and why the name? Let's discover together the ecological character of solar energy.
What is green energy?
An energy is said to be green when it is taken from sources whose exploitation does not have harmful effects on the environment and on human health. The quantity of pollutants it emits is very low compared to other more common energy sources. We also talk about clean energy.
Green energies are opposed to fossil fuels, the production and transformation of which release into nature a very large quantity of greenhouse gases and CO2, which promote global warming. These polluting energy sources are also known for the toxic gases they emit during their combustion: nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, lead, heavy minerals, etc.
Another fundamental characteristic of green energy is its permanent renewal by nature. Indeed, most of the time, the stock of a clean energy source is replenished faster than it is consumed: we then speak renewable energy (EnR).
Of course, there are some energies that can be described as “clean”, but which are not renewable. This is the case, for example, with nuclear power, which emits almost no greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. However, its fuel, uranium, is a limited resource that can generate radioactive pollution if not handled with care. From this point of view, it is not 100% reliable.
In summary, for energy to be truly considered clean or green, it must be both non-harmful to the environment (and to human health) and renewable. In France, green energy represents 16.3% of national gross consumption (2017).
Why is solar energy renewable?
Like Hydraulic power, solar energy can be considered 100% green because it meets the two conditions set out above. It comes from a clean and infinitely renewable source.
Why is solar energy clean?
The production of electricity from Sun rays is one of the most ecological energy solutions that currently exist. In fact, the process that leads to the obtaining of this green electricity does not generate No greenhouse gas emissions or CO2 emissions in the atmosphere. Therefore, it does not contribute to global warming.
Photovoltaic cells simply capture the sun's radiation and transform it into electrical current by moving electrons between semiconducting materials. The energy produced is then stored in batteries for later use as needed. There is no combustion or chemical reaction that comes into play.
To top it all off, the photovoltaic solar panels used are generally made from recyclable materials. Thus, this energy is not only clean, but its exploitation also makes it possible to contribute to a certain extent to the preservation of the environment by using 90% recyclable materials.
The same is true for solar thermal energy (which is different from photovoltaics). The solar collectors that are used make it possible to convert the sun's radiation into calorific energy for heating without polluting the atmosphere. If it is more like thermodynamic solar energy, the heat collected is used to produce green electricity, always without any pollution.
Did you know that?
You should know that like all green energies, solar is not 100% ecological. It has a slight environmental impact that is divided between the stages of manufacturing, installing and transporting equipment. The energy spent on refining silicon during the manufacturing phase of a solar panel accounts for more than 40% of this environmental impact, which is still insignificant.
The Sun, a resource that has no limits on a human scale
Solar energy relies on an inexhaustible and limitless resource. Indeed, according to astronomers' estimates, the Sun is not likely to go out for five billion years, which represents an eternity on a human scale. A shortage is therefore not to be feared, as is the case for most fossil fuels that are currently exploited: coal, natural gas, oil...
Provided they are installed and maintained properly, solar power plants can provide green electricity continuously for 30 to 40 years. The use of high-performance batteries makes it possible to guard against the phenomenon of intermittency.
The benefits of solar energy
In addition to being a clean and renewable energy, solar has several other advantages that should be mentioned:
- Accessibility
- Energy saving and the possibility of resale
- Lower installation costs
Easily accessible
Of all the renewable energy sources that exist, the sun is one of the most accessible. In addition, the establishment of a solar power plant does not require a lot of work and does not impose a lot of technical constraints. Simply install solar panels in a place well exposed to the sun's rays to get the most out of this green energy. You can even use non-constructible or polluted land for their establishment.
Energy saving and the possibility of reselling photovoltaic energy
The use of solar energy makes it possible to make considerable savings. Whether as an auxiliary solution, or as a main source of energy, you are guaranteed to reduce your energy expenses. If the installation is powerful enough, you can even become completely self-sufficient in electricity and no longer have to pay bills. The excess energy can then be sold to a supplier who will pay you a fixed amount per kWh over a period of 1 to 20 years.
Lower installation costs
The installation of photovoltaic panels is known to be an expensive project. However, for several years, costs have been falling in the solar industry. This is due to the numerous technological advances that have been made in the field, with production on the rise.
There are also numerous aids such as The zero-interest eco-loan which are available for the financing of a project to install photovoltaic panels. Local authorities and businesses can also take advantage of certain special subsidies if they opt for a total sale of their electricity production.
In conclusion, remember that solar energy is green because it is both clean and renewable. Its transformation process has almost no negative impact on the environment: no greenhouse gases or toxic waste that can endanger human health!
Did you know that? SirEnergies answered the question” What is renewable energy ”, do not hesitate to consult it.
Did you know that?
Recognizing the climate emergency, SirEnergies offers professionals and businesses the opportunity to limit the ecological impact in terms of energy.
We have made the choice to work with key players in solar photovoltaic to offer you support solutions dedicated to your photovoltaic self-consumption projects.
Click below for more information:
Take the first step towards optimization
In a few clicks, organize an exchange with one of our experts.
weekly newsletter subscribers
4.9
The answers to your questions
What taxes are particularly relevant to manufacturers?
.png){kind=icon}
The industry is concerned by TICFE, TICGN and other contributions that may represent an important part of invoices. Sirenergies identifies cases of exemption and accompanies the procedures to benefit from them.
Pourquoi mon contrat est-il en kVA et ma consommation en kWh ?
Le kVA mesure la capacité maximale que votre compteur peut supporter à un instant T, tandis que le kWh mesure la quantité d'énergie consommée sur une durée.
What are the main taxes applicable?
Among the taxes include TICFE, TICGN, CTA, CJA and TURPE. They represent a significant part of the bill and vary according to consumption profiles. Understanding them well is essential to optimize costs.
What are the challenges for tertiary companies?
Tertiary companies must manage their energy costs while guaranteeing the comfort of users (offices, shops, services). Consumption is often linked to heating, air conditioning and lighting, which requires precise monitoring to avoid budgetary excesses.
What are the PP1 and PP2 alert days?
These are signals sent by RTE during periods of tension on the electrical network. The Sirenergies tool informs you in real time to anticipate your uses.
How do I read an electricity or gas bill?
One invoice consists of several elements: consumption, supplier share, taxes and contributions. The analysis of each line makes it possible to identify possible errors and to check the consistency with the signed contract.
How to properly define your subscribed power?
The subscribed power must be calculated according to the consumption profile and uses (heating, industrial processes, tertiary equipment). One fine analysis makes it possible to ensure the adequacy between real need and contract.
Pourquoi la France a-t-elle exporté un volume record d'électricité en 2025 ?
Ce record de 92,3 TWh s'explique par la conjonction de trois facteurs :
- Le redressement du parc nucléaire : Après les problèmes de corrosion sous contrainte de 2022, la production nucléaire a retrouvé une forte disponibilité (373 TWh).
- L'essor des renouvelables : Une capacité installée en hausse (solaire et éolien) et une production hydraulique solide.
- Une consommation intérieure atone : La demande française reste inférieure de 6 % à la moyenne historique, créant un surplus massif disponible pour nos voisins.
What are the electricity offers offered by bellenergie Business?
The range E @sy is available in four pricing structures to adapt to each risk profile:
- E @sy Fixed: 100% budget visibility without variation.
- E @sy Click: Smoothed price thanks to staggered purchases on the markets.
- E @sy Block + Spot: A mix between a secure base and a portion indexed to daily prices.
- E @sy Sport: A 100% dynamic offer to take advantage of downside opportunities in real time.
Qu'est-ce qui remplace l'ARENH depuis le 1er janvier 2026 ?
Le dispositif ARENH a laissé place au VNU (Versement Nucléaire Universel).
Ce changement structurel expose davantage les entreprises aux prix de gros, rendant la gestion des risques plus complexe qu'auparavant.
Il devient alors indispensable de définir une stratégie d'achat d'électricité avec Sirenergies pour lisser l'impact de la volatilité des marchés sur votre budget.
Qu'est-ce que le cosinus phi
C'est l'indicateur d'efficacité d'un appareil électrique ; il représente le ratio entre la puissance active (utile) et la puissance apparente (totale).
What is the difference between €/MWh and kWh?
The €/MWh is a price unit used in wholesale markets, while kWh is the unit visible on your bills.
How to optimize taxes and contributions?
Tertiary companies are concerned by taxes such as TICFE or TICGN. Sirenergies checks the accuracy of invoices, identifies possible exemptions, and helps correct errors to sustainably reduce costs.
Is Bellenergie Business electricity really green?
Yes. The supplier guarantees an offer 100% renewable via the official Guarantees of Origin (GO) mechanism.
For the most demanding companies, the offer GREENVOLT+ ensures very low carbon intensity electricity, sourced exclusively from independent French producers (hydraulic, wind, solar).
Which taxes are particularly relevant for farms?
Farms are subject to taxes such as TICFE or TICGN. Sirenergies verifies their application, identifies cases of exemption and accompanies the procedures to reduce the tax burden.
Quel est le nouveau record 2025 d'exportation d'électricité de la France ?
En 2025, la France a atteint un solde exportateur net de 92,3 TWh, battant le précédent record de 2024 (89 TWh).
L'hydroélectricité est-elle une énergie "propre" ?
Oui, elle est considérée comme une énergie renouvelable à faibles émissions de gaz à effet de serre.
De plus, l'eau ne subit aucune transformation chimique durant le cycle de production et réintègre son milieu naturel en aval.
Cependant, la construction de barrages nécessite des mesures pour protéger les écosystèmes (débit minimum, passes à poissons).
Comment l'eau est-elle transformée en électricité ?
Le processus repose sur l'utilisation de la force de l'eau (énergie cinétique) issue des courants, des chutes d'eau ou des dénivelés. Le fonctionnement suit trois étapes clés :
- Le barrage retient l'eau et l'oriente vers des conduites.
- La pression de l'eau fait tourner une turbine, créant de l'énergie mécanique.
- Une génératrice (alternateur) transforme cette énergie mécanique en électricité, laquelle est ensuite adaptée par un transformateur pour le réseau
What is the point of following Spot & Forward prices?
This makes it possible to choose the right time to contract, secure your budgets and anticipate increases.
Quel est l'impact réel de la rénovation de l'éclairage public ?
C'est le levier le plus rapide pour obtenir des résultats visibles. L'éclairage représente environ 40 % de la consommation d'électricité d'une commune.
Passer au LED avec pilotage intelligent permet de réduire la facture de 50 à 80 %, avec un retour sur investissement (ROI) rapide, souvent estimé à 2 ou 3 ans.
Quelle est la différence concrète entre le transport et la distribution d'électricité ?
Le transport (RTE) correspond aux "autoroutes" de l’électricité. Il s’agit de transporter de très grandes quantités d'énergie sur de longues distances, depuis les centrales de production (nucléaires, barrages, parcs éoliens offshore) vers les régions de consommation.
La distribution (Enedis) s'apparente aux "routes départementales" et aux rues. Elle récupère l'électricité à la sortie du réseau de transport pour la livrer directement chez le client final, en abaissant la tension pour qu'elle soit utilisable par vos appareils.
Quel est l'impact de ces exportations sur le prix de l'électricité pour les entreprises ?
L'abondance de production française tire les prix du marché de gros vers le bas.
En vertu du mécanisme de l'Ordre de Mérite (Merit Order), les centrales les moins coûteuses (nucléaire, renouvelables) couvrent la demande plus souvent, évinçant les centrales à gaz ou charbon plus onéreuses.
Cela multiplie les épisodes de prix bas, voire négatifs, sur le marché spot.
What are the customer reviews on bellenergie Business's customer service?
In 2025, the supplier had a NPS (Net Promoter Score) of +16 and a note of 4,17/5.
Satisfaction is based on a “zero solicitation” model and 100% in-house customer service in Toulon, guaranteeing proximity and responsiveness that cannot be found with major historical suppliers.
Pourquoi le kVA est-il crucial pour les entreprises ?
Parce que la puissance souscrite en kVA détermine le prix de l'abonnement et que tout dépassement peut entraîner des surcoûts importants.
How to optimize the taxes and contributions of a community?
Communities are subject to taxes such as TICFE or TICGN. Sirenergies analyzes invoices, identifies exemption possibilities and fixes possible errors to reduce the tax burden.
Why launch an energy tender?
Un appel d’offres permet de mettre en concurrence plusieurs fournisseurs d’électricité et de gaz afin d’obtenir des conditions contractuelles optimisées. C’est une démarche transparente qui permet de choisir l’offre la plus adaptée aux besoins budgétaires et techniques de l’organisation.
What is energy sourcing?
Sourcing consists in identifying and analysing the offers of several electricity and gas suppliers. This approach makes it possible to obtain contracts adapted to the consumption profile and budgetary constraints of the company.
What are the consequences of overpowering?
Exceeding capacity leads to financial penalties and can impact the size of the contract. Adjust the correctly subscribed power makes it possible to avoid these additional costs.
How do I get a tax exemption?
Some businesses may obtain a partial or total exemption from the TICFE or the TICGN, depending on their activity and energy intensity. The support of an expert makes it possible to identify the eligibility criteria and to put together the file.
The answers to your questions
No items found.