What Is the Net Energy Rebate (NER) in Singapore?
The Net Energy Rebate (NER) is Singapore's primary mechanism for compensating solar panel owners who export excess electricity to the national grid. Administered by SP Group under the Energy Market Authority (EMA) framework, NER allows residential solar system owners to offset their electricity bills with credits for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) they export.
In 2026, the NER remains the single most important financial incentive for residential solar in Singapore. When combined with direct consumption savings, NER can reduce your effective electricity costs to near zero — or even result in a net credit on your bill.
For a full overview of solar costs in Singapore, see our Complete Solar Panel Cost Guide for 2026.
How the Net Energy Rebate Works in 2026
Under the NER scheme, any electricity your solar panels generate that you do not consume on-site is automatically exported to the grid via your SP Group meter. SP Group credits you for this exported energy at the prevailing low-tension electricity tariff, which is reviewed and set quarterly by the EMA.
Key NER Mechanics
- Automatic metering — SP Group installs a bi-directional meter that tracks both imported and exported electricity.
- Bill offset — NER credits are applied against your electricity bill. If credits exceed your bill, the surplus rolls over to the next billing cycle.
- No cap — There is no cap on the amount of energy you can export or the credits you can accumulate.
- Tariff-linked rate — The rebate rate is pegged to the regulated electricity tariff, meaning as tariffs rise, your NER credits become more valuable.
2026 NER Rates and Tariff Data
The NER rate is directly tied to SP Group's regulated electricity tariff. Here are the current and projected rates for 2026:
| Period | SP Regulated Tariff (S$/kWh) | NER Credit Rate (S$/kWh) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q4 2025 | S$0.3190 | S$0.3190 | Baseline |
| Q1 2026 | S$0.3254 | S$0.3254 | ↑ +2.0% |
| Q2 2026 (projected) | S$0.33–S$0.35 | S$0.33–S$0.35 | ↑ Upward |
| Q3–Q4 2026 (projected) | S$0.33–S$0.35 | S$0.33–S$0.35 | Stable to upward |
The upward trend in electricity tariffs means NER credits are becoming increasingly valuable year over year — a key advantage of installing solar now rather than waiting.
Worked Examples: NER Savings by System Size
The financial benefit of NER depends on your system size, household consumption, and the proportion of solar energy you export. Let us walk through three common scenarios.
Example 1: 5 kWp System (Terrace House)
Monthly generation: 5 kWp × 112.5 kWh/kWp = 563 kWh
Monthly consumption: 600 kWh
Self-consumption (70%): 394 kWh consumed on-site
Exported to grid (30%): 169 kWh
Savings from self-consumption: 394 × S$0.33 = S$130
NER credit for exports: 169 × S$0.33 = S$56
Total monthly benefit: S$186
Annual NER credits: S$56 × 12 = S$672
Annual total savings: S$186 × 12 = S$2,232
Example 2: 10 kWp System (Semi-Detached)
Monthly generation: 1,125 kWh
Monthly consumption: 900 kWh
Self-consumption (65%): 731 kWh
Exported to grid (35%): 394 kWh
Savings from self-consumption: 731 × S$0.33 = S$241
NER credit for exports: 394 × S$0.33 = S$130
Total monthly benefit: S$371
Annual NER credits: S$1,560
Annual total savings: S$4,452
Example 3: 15 kWp System (Bungalow)
Monthly generation: 1,688 kWh
Monthly consumption: 1,200 kWh
Self-consumption (60%): 1,013 kWh
Exported to grid (40%): 675 kWh
Savings from self-consumption: 1,013 × S$0.33 = S$334
NER credit for exports: 675 × S$0.33 = S$223
Total monthly benefit: S$557
Annual NER credits: S$2,676
Annual total savings: S$6,684
Contestable vs Non-Contestable Consumers
Understanding your consumer category is important because it determines how NER credits are calculated and what electricity rates you can access.
| Factor | Non-Contestable Consumer | Contestable Consumer |
|---|---|---|
| Consumption threshold | Below 2,000 kWh/month average | 2,000 kWh/month or above |
| Electricity supply | SP Group regulated tariff | Choice of electricity retailer |
| NER credit rate | SP regulated tariff (S$0.3254/kWh in Q1 2026) | Prevailing half-hourly wholesale energy price (USEP) |
| NER billing | Credits offset SP electricity bill directly | Credits settled at wholesale price; may differ from retail rate |
| Typical residential status | Most landed homes | Very high-consumption homes or those opting in |
| Best for solar? | Simpler, predictable credits | Potentially higher credits during peak wholesale periods |
Most residential solar system owners in Singapore are non-contestable consumers and receive NER credits at the SP regulated tariff. This is simpler and provides predictable returns.
Electricity Retailer Comparison: Impact on Solar Savings
If you are on an Open Electricity Market (OEM) plan with a retailer, your NER dynamics may differ. Here is how the major retailers compare for solar homeowners in 2026:
| Retailer | Typical Rate (S$/kWh) | Contract Type | Solar Compatibility | NER Handling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP Group (regulated) | S$0.3254 | No contract (default) | Excellent — seamless NER integration | Credits at regulated tariff |
| Keppel Electric | S$0.28–S$0.31 | 12–24 months fixed | Good — supports solar export | Credits at contracted rate |
| Sembcorp Power | S$0.27–S$0.30 | 12–24 months fixed | Good — solar-friendly plans available | Credits at contracted rate |
| Geneco (by Seraya) | S$0.28–S$0.31 | 6–24 months fixed | Good — multiple plan options | Credits at contracted rate |
| PacificLight | S$0.27–S$0.30 | 12–24 months fixed | Good — competitive rates | Credits at contracted rate |
Key insight: While OEM retailers may offer lower base rates, the NER credit rate is typically pegged to the SP regulated tariff for non-contestable consumers. This means solar homeowners on OEM plans may benefit from lower import costs while still earning NER credits at the higher SP tariff — a double advantage.
Step-by-Step NER Application Guide
Setting up NER for your solar system involves coordination between your solar installer, EMA, and SP Group. Here is the full process and timeline:
Step 1: Solar System Installation (Weeks 1–3)
Your installer designs and installs the solar panel system. Sunollo handles all technical design, permits, and installation in a typical timeframe of 2–3 weeks for residential properties.
Step 2: EMA Generation Licence Application (Week 3–4)
For residential systems, an EMA generation licence is required. Sunollo submits this application on your behalf. Processing typically takes 5–10 business days.
- Systems below 1 MWac require a generation licence but no market registration
- No fees for residential-scale systems
Step 3: SP Group Metering Application (Week 4–5)
Once the EMA licence is approved, SP Group is notified to install or reprogram your electricity meter to a bi-directional meter that can measure both import and export.
- SP Group schedules the meter change within 5–10 business days
- A brief power interruption (approximately 30 minutes) is required during the changeover
Step 4: System Turn-On and Testing (Week 5–6)
After the meter is upgraded, your system is officially turned on. Sunollo conducts final testing, commissions the monitoring platform, and verifies that NER credits are being correctly recorded.
Step 5: First NER Credit on Your Bill (Week 8–10)
NER credits typically appear on your first or second electricity bill after system turn-on. You can track exported energy in real time via the SunolloCare monitoring dashboard.
Total Timeline: 6–10 Weeks
From signing the contract to receiving your first NER credit, the typical timeline is 6–10 weeks. Sunollo manages the entire process as a single point of contact, so you do not need to coordinate between different agencies yourself.
How Sunollo Maximises Your NER Returns
Not all solar systems generate the same amount of electricity from the same number of panels. Sunollo's approach is specifically designed to maximise energy yield — and therefore your NER credits.
Panel-Level Optimisers: 5–25% More Yield
Sunollo includes panel-level power optimisers as standard on every installation. These devices ensure each panel operates at its maximum power point independently, regardless of what is happening on neighbouring panels.
The impact is significant:
- Shading mitigation: If one panel is partially shaded (by a tree, antenna, or neighbouring building), only that panel's output is reduced — not the entire string. This can improve total system yield by 10–25% on shaded roofs.
- Multi-orientation optimisation: Panels facing different directions (common on hip roofs) each operate optimally rather than being dragged down to the weakest panel's output. Improvement: 5–15%.
- Soiling and degradation equalisation: Even minor differences in dirt accumulation or panel ageing are compensated for. Improvement: 2–5%.
For a 10 kWp system, a 10% yield improvement translates to an additional 1,350 kWh per year — worth approximately S$445 per year in savings and NER credits. Over 25 years, that is an additional S$11,125 from optimisers alone.
SunolloCare: Maintaining Peak Performance
Sunollo's SunolloCare programme ensures your system maintains optimal performance throughout its 25-year lifetime:
- 24/7 monitoring: Panel-level performance tracking detects issues immediately
- Scheduled cleaning: Regular panel cleaning to prevent soiling losses (typically 2–5% in Singapore)
- Proactive maintenance: Component checks and preventive replacements before failures occur
- Performance guarantee: Guaranteed kWh output — if your system underperforms, Sunollo compensates you
Monthly and Annual NER Rebate Summary
| System Size | Monthly Generation | Est. Monthly Export (30–40%) | Monthly NER Credit | Annual NER Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kWp | 563 kWh | 169–225 kWh | S$56–S$74 | S$672–S$888 |
| 8 kWp | 900 kWh | 270–360 kWh | S$89–S$119 | S$1,068–S$1,428 |
| 10 kWp | 1,125 kWh | 338–450 kWh | S$112–S$149 | S$1,344–S$1,788 |
| 15 kWp | 1,688 kWh | 506–675 kWh | S$167–S$223 | S$2,004–S$2,676 |
| 20 kWp | 2,250 kWh | 675–900 kWh | S$223–S$297 | S$2,676–S$3,564 |
These figures are based on the Q1 2026 tariff of S$0.33/kWh. As tariffs increase, NER credit values increase proportionally.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Net Energy Rebate (NER) in Singapore?
NER is a scheme that credits solar system owners for excess electricity exported to the grid. SP Group automatically tracks your exports via a bi-directional meter and applies credits to your electricity bill at the prevailing regulated tariff rate.
2. How much can I earn from NER in 2026?
NER earnings depend on your system size and export ratio. A typical 10 kWp system exports approximately 30–40% of its generation, earning S$1,300–S$1,800 per year in NER credits at current tariff rates.
3. What is the current NER rate?
The NER rate is pegged to SP Group's regulated tariff, currently S$0.3254/kWh (Q1 2026). This rate is reviewed quarterly and has been trending upward.
4. Do I need to apply separately for NER?
No. When you install a solar system with Sunollo, NER setup is included as part of the installation process. Sunollo handles the EMA licence application and SP Group metering upgrade on your behalf.
5. Can I earn more than my electricity bill?
Yes. If your NER credits exceed your electricity consumption charges, the surplus credits roll over to the next billing period. However, SP Group does not pay out cash — credits remain as bill offsets.
6. Does NER work with electricity retailers (OEM)?
If you are on an OEM plan with a retailer, the NER mechanism may work slightly differently. Most non-contestable consumers continue to receive credits at the SP regulated tariff. Contact your retailer for specific NER terms.
7. How do panel-level optimisers increase my NER earnings?
Panel-level optimisers maximise the electricity output of each individual panel, which means more total generation and more excess energy available for export. Sunollo's optimisers typically increase total system yield by 5–25%, directly boosting your NER credits by the same proportion.
8. Will the NER scheme continue in future years?
The Singapore government has committed to achieving 1.5 GWp of solar deployment by 2030 under the Singapore Green Plan. The NER scheme is a cornerstone of this strategy and is expected to continue. For updates on incentives, see our Solar Incentives & Green Financing Guide.
Maximise Your NER Returns with Sunollo
The Net Energy Rebate is a powerful financial incentive that makes residential solar in Singapore even more attractive. By choosing Sunollo, you benefit from panel-level optimisers that generate 5–25% more energy, the SunolloCare programme that maintains peak performance over 25 years, and a fully managed installation process that gets your NER credits flowing within weeks.
Visit Sunollo Solar for Homes to request a personalised NER savings estimate for your property.
