Estimated reading time: 25 minutes
Singapore’s solar revolution is no longer coming, it’s here. With electricity tariffs climbing past 30 cents/kWh, the Government’s Green Plan 2030 targeting 2 GWp of solar by the end of the decade, and the Net Energy Rebate (NER) scheme paying homeowners for every excess kilowatt-hour they export, there has never been a better time to go solar on your landed property.
But the information is scattered across dozens of websites, most of it outdated or riddled with jargon. This guide changes that. In one long read you’ll get the full picture: how solar works in Singapore’s tropical climate, what it costs in 2026, how much you’ll save, how to finance it, what batteries add (and when they don’t make sense), how installation actually works step by step, and how to pick the right installer. Let’s dive in.
1. Why Solar Makes Sense in Singapore in 2026
Three forces are converging to make 2026 the tipping point for residential solar in Singapore:
Rising Electricity Prices
SP Group’s regulated tariff hit 32.57 cents/kWh in mid-2024 and has remained elevated. Open Electricity Market (OEM) retailers offer 27–30 cents/kWh on fixed plans, but rates reset every contract cycle. Solar lets you lock in an effective electricity cost of roughly 8–12 cents/kWh for 25 years — a hedge no retailer can match.
Singapore Green Plan 2030
The national blueprint targets at least 2 GWp of solar deployment by 2030 and aims for net-zero emissions “as soon as viable” in the second half of this century. Residential rooftops are a critical piece: there are an estimated 70,000+ landed homes with viable roof space, yet adoption sits below 5%. The Government continues to streamline approvals through EMA and SP Services, signalling long-term policy support.
Net Energy Rebate (NER)
Under the simplified NER framework, any surplus solar electricity your system exports to the grid is automatically credited at the prevailing wholesale electricity price (the Weighted Average Wholesale Electricity Price). You don’t need a separate retail licence — SP simply offsets the credit against your next bill. For a typical 10 kWp system, export credits can reach S$40–S$80 per month depending on your consumption pattern.
2. How Solar Works in Singapore’s Climate
The Basics
Solar panels contain photovoltaic (PV) cells made of silicon. When sunlight hits these cells, electrons are knocked loose, creating direct current (DC) electricity. An inverter converts this DC into alternating current (AC) — the type your home appliances use. A bi-directional meter tracks what you consume and what you export.
Singapore’s Solar Advantage
Despite being a small, cloudy tropical island, Singapore actually receives excellent solar irradiance:
- Average peak sun hours: 3.5–4.5 hours/day (annual average)
- Annual irradiance: ~1,580 kWh/m² — higher than Germany (1,050 kWh/m²), which is the world’s fourth-largest solar market
- Year-round consistency: No winter means no seasonal production dip
Rain and cloud cover do reduce output on individual days, but modern panels still generate 10–25% of their rated capacity under overcast conditions. Over a full year, a well-designed system in Singapore reliably produces 1,200–1,400 kWh per kWp installed.
Key Components
3. Solar Panel Costs in Singapore 2026
What Does It Cost Per kWp?
In 2026, residential rooftop solar in Singapore typically costs S$1,000–S$1,200 per kWp fully installed. This is an 89% decline from a decade ago and reflects global manufacturing scale, improved panel efficiency, and a competitive local installer market.
The price includes: solar panels, inverter, power optimisers, mounting structure, wiring, installation labour, monitoring system, all permits and approvals, and standard warranties.
Cost by Property Type
What Affects the Price?
- Panel technology: Premium all-black monocrystalline or IBC panels cost more but deliver higher efficiency and better aesthetics.
- Inverter brand: Top-tier brands like SolarEdge command a premium over basic string inverters, but offer panel-level optimisation, monitoring, and safety features.
- Roof complexity: Multi-slope, tiled, or older roofs may require additional structural work.
- Battery add-on: Adding battery storage increases cost by S$8,000–S$20,000 depending on capacity.
4. Savings & Payback: The Real Numbers
How Much Can You Save?
Your savings depend on three factors: system size, your electricity consumption, and how much you export vs self-consume. Here are realistic scenarios based on 2026 tariff rates:
Payback Period
Most Singapore homeowners recover their full investment in 3–5 years. After that, solar electricity is essentially free for the remaining 18–20+ years of the system’s life. Over 25 years, total savings typically reach S$50,000–S$120,000 depending on system size, tariff inflation, and consumption.
NER Export Credits
Any electricity your system produces that you don’t use is exported to the grid and credited at the wholesale price (roughly 15–25 cents/kWh depending on the quarter). For a 10 kWp system with typical daytime occupancy, export credits add S$40–S$80/month to your savings.
5. Financing Solar in Singapore
You don’t need to pay S$15,000–S$50,000 upfront. Multiple financing paths exist:
Option 1: Cash Purchase
- Best ROI: Highest total savings since there are no interest or subscription costs
- Payback: 5–7 years
- You own: The system and all its output from day one
Option 2: Green Loan
- How it works: Banks (DBS, OCBC, UOB) offer green loans at competitive rates
- Typical terms: 3–7 year tenure, 3–5% interest
- Cash flow: Monthly loan repayment is often less than your electricity savings, so you’re cash-positive from month one
Option 3: Solar Lease / PPA
- How it works: A solar company installs and owns the system; you pay a fixed monthly fee or a per-kWh rate lower than the grid
- Upfront cost: Zero
- Drawback: Lower total savings over 25 years since the leasing company takes a margin
Option 4: Subscribe (Rent-to-Own)
- How it works: Fixed monthly subscription; at the end of the term you own the system
- Risk: Ensure the plan guarantees net savings; some subscription models underdeliver
- Sunollo’s approach: Sunollo offers a Guaranteed Savings model — if your solar savings don’t exceed your subscription payment, Sunollo covers the difference
Financing Comparison
6. Installation: Step by Step
A residential solar installation in Singapore follows a clear process. Here’s what to expect:
Step 1: Site Assessment (Week 1)
A qualified solar consultant visits your home to evaluate:
- Roof orientation, angle, and area
- Shading from trees, neighbouring buildings, or roof structures
- Roof material and structural condition
- Electrical panel capacity (single-phase vs three-phase)
- Your electricity consumption pattern
Step 2: System Design & Proposal (Week 1–2)
Based on the assessment, the installer designs an optimised system and presents a proposal covering:
- System size (kWp), panel layout, and equipment specifications
- Estimated annual energy production
- Projected savings and payback period
- Pricing, financing options, and warranty terms
Step 3: Permits & Approvals (Week 2–5)
Your installer handles all regulatory paperwork:
- EMA (Energy Market Authority): Registers you as an Intermittent Generation Source (IGS)
- SP Services: Applies for a bi-directional meter and grid connection
- BCA / URA: Structural and planning approvals (if required)
Step 4: Installation (1–3 Days)
The physical installation is usually completed in 1–3 days for a typical landed home:
- Mounting rails secured to roof
- Panels mounted and wired
- Inverter and optimisers installed
- Electrical connections to your DB board
- Monitoring system configured
Step 5: Inspection & Turn-On (Week 5–8)
After installation:
- SP Services installs the bi-directional meter
- A Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW) certifies the system
- Your system is commissioned and begins generating power
- NER export crediting starts automatically
Typical Timeline: 6–10 Weeks End to End
The longest wait is usually permit processing (2–4 weeks). The actual on-roof work is fast.
7. Solar Batteries: When Do They Make Sense?
What Batteries Do
A home battery stores surplus solar energy produced during the day so you can use it at night or during peak-rate hours, rather than exporting it at the wholesale price and buying it back at the retail price.
Battery Costs in 2026
When Batteries Pay Off
- High night-time usage: If your household consumes heavily from 7 pm to 7 am (EV charging, AC, pool pump), a battery captures the spread between retail and wholesale price
- Blackout backup: While Singapore’s grid is highly reliable, batteries provide peace of mind during rare outages
- Future time-of-use tariffs: If Singapore moves toward time-of-use pricing (peak vs off-peak rates), batteries become significantly more valuable
When to Wait
- Low night-time usage: If you’re out most evenings or have modest consumption, exporting surplus and earning NER credits may be a better financial strategy
- Budget priority: Batteries add S$8,000–S$18,000 and currently have a payback of 8–12 years in Singapore. If budget is tight, invest in a larger panel array first
Integration with Solar
Sunollo’s systems are designed to be battery-ready from day one. Even if you install panels only now, you can add a battery later without rewiring or replacing your inverter (especially with hybrid inverter setups).
8. Choosing the Right Solar Installer
Your installer is the single biggest variable in whether your solar investment performs well for 25 years or becomes a headache. Here’s what to look for:
Green Flags
- BCA-registered: Must hold a valid builder licence for electrical works
- Track record: 3+ years of residential installations in Singapore, with references you can verify
- Tier-1 equipment: Uses bankable panel brands (e.g. Maxeon, LONGi, Jinko) and reputable inverters (SolarEdge, Enphase, GoodWe)
- Transparent pricing: Itemised quote with no hidden fees for permits, meter installation, or roof repair
- Strong warranty: Minimum 10-year workmanship warranty; 25–30-year panel performance guarantee
- After-sales support: Proactive monitoring, annual check-ups, and responsive service team
Red Flags
- Quotes that are dramatically cheaper than the market range (S$1,000/kWp or below) — this usually means cut corners on equipment or installation quality
- No in-house installation team (pure outsourcing to ad-hoc subcontractors)
- Pressure to sign immediately or “limited-time” discounts
- No monitoring system included
- Vague warranty terms or no written workmanship warranty
Why Sunollo
Sunollo was built for Singapore’s landed homeowners. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Premium equipment as standard: High-efficiency monocrystalline panels with SolarEdge optimisers on every installation. No corner-cutting.
- 30-year panel warranty, 25-year optimiser warranty, up to 25-year inverter warranty — the most comprehensive coverage in the Singapore market.
- SunMax Power Optimisers: 5–25% more energy yield, real-time per-panel monitoring, and built-in rapid shutdown and arc-fault protection.
- Sunollo Care: Our after-sales programme includes proactive monitoring, annual performance reviews, and a guaranteed savings promise for subscription customers.
- Full-service: We handle everything from site assessment through EMA/SP approvals to installation and ongoing maintenance. One partner, zero hassle.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much do solar panels cost in Singapore in 2026?
A: Residential solar costs S$1,450–S$2,000 per kWp installed. A typical 10 kWp system for a terrace or semi-D costs S$15,000–S$20,000.
Q: How long is the payback period?
A: Most homeowners break even in 5–7 years. After that, solar electricity is essentially free for the remaining 18–20+ years.
Q: Will solar panels work in Singapore’s rainy weather?
A: Yes. Modern panels generate 10–25% of rated capacity under overcast conditions. Over a full year, rain days average out and systems reliably produce 1,200–1,400 kWh/kWp annually.
Q: Do I need batteries?
A: Not necessarily. Without batteries, excess solar is exported to the grid and credited via NER. Batteries make sense if you have high night-time consumption or want blackout backup. Most homeowners start with panels only and add batteries later.
Q: Can I install solar on an HDB flat?
A: Individual HDB owners cannot install solar on their units. HDB manages rooftop solar through its SolarNova programme. This guide focuses on landed properties (terrace, semi-D, bungalow, GCB).
Q: What is the Net Energy Rebate (NER)?
A: NER credits you at the wholesale electricity price for every kWh your system exports to the grid. SP automatically offsets the credits against your electricity bill.
Q: Do I need to maintain solar panels?
A: Minimal maintenance is required. Singapore’s regular rainfall helps keep panels clean. An annual professional inspection is recommended to check connections, inverter performance, and panel condition.
Q: What happens during a blackout?
A: Without a battery, your solar system shuts down during a grid outage for safety (anti-islanding protection). With a battery and hybrid inverter, you can power essential loads during an outage.
Q: Will solar panels damage my roof?
A: No, when installed correctly. Reputable installers use non-penetrating or properly sealed mounting systems. Sunollo provides a roof warranty covering any installation-related issues.
Q: How long do solar panels last?
A: Modern panels are warranted for 25–30 years and can produce electricity for 30–35 years. Inverters typically last 10–25 years depending on type and brand.
Q: Can I add more panels or a battery later?
A: Yes. A well-designed system is scalable. Sunollo’s systems are battery-ready from day one, allowing easy upgrades without rewiring.
Q: Is solar worth it if I plan to sell my home?
A: Solar increases property value. Buyers value lower running costs, and a transferable solar system is an attractive feature in Singapore’s landed property market.
Q: What approvals do I need?
A: Your installer handles all approvals: EMA registration as an Intermittent Generation Source, SP Services bi-directional meter application, and any BCA/URA structural approvals if required. You sign the paperwork; they do the legwork.
Q: What’s the difference between kWp and kWh?
A: kWp (kilowatt-peak) is the maximum power output of your system under standard test conditions. kWh (kilowatt-hour) is the actual energy produced over time. A 10 kWp system in Singapore produces roughly 12,000–14,000 kWh per year.
Q: Do I still get an electricity bill with solar?
A: Yes, but it’s dramatically reduced. Most landed homeowners see a 60–80% reduction. You’ll still pay for grid electricity used at night (unless you have batteries) and a small SP metering charge.
10. Take the First Step
Going solar is one of the smartest financial and environmental decisions a Singapore homeowner can make. With costs at historic lows, Government support through NER, and proven technology backed by 25–30-year warranties, the question is no longer “should I go solar?” but “why haven’t I already?”
Ready to find out what solar can do for your home?
Sunollo offers a free, no-obligation site assessment for every landed homeowner in Singapore. Our energy consultants will design a system tailored to your roof, your consumption, and your goals — and show you exactly what you’ll save.
Get Your Free Solar Assessment →
Related Articles: Solar Panel Cost Calculator Singapore | Solar Financing Options | Net Energy Rebate Guide | Best Solar Products for Your Home | Solar System Maintenance
