Are solar panels worth it in Singapore?

Short answer: for most landed homes, yes. The maths is better than it used to be. But it is not worth it for everyone. This page gives you the real numbers and the honest catches, so by the end you will know which side you are on.

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The honest answer

Worth it, when three things line up.

Solar is a five-figure decision, and most of the internet is written by people who only profit if you say yes. So here is the version with no pitch: solar pays off for your home when all three of these are true.

Enough usable roof

Most landed homes have plenty. A typical terrace or semi-detached roof comfortably fits a 6 to 12 kWp system.

A high enough bill

Around S$150 a month or more. The bigger your bill, the more solar has to work with, and the faster it pays back.

Not heavily shaded

A roof that catches good midday sun, without tall trees or neighbouring buildings throwing it into shade.

Tick all three, and the numbers in the next section are probably yours to claim.

The real numbers

What it looks like in dollars.

Most landed homes install between 12 and 20 kWp, often bigger than people expect, because at today’s export rate it pays to fill the roof rather than just cover your own usage. Here is roughly how a mid-sized 15 kWp system stacks up.

~15 kWp

System size

~S$18k

Installed cost

~S$4k

Saved a year

~5 yrs

To pay back

Your 25-year picture

Paying it back

Years 0–5

~20 years of pure savings

Years 5–25

Year 0Break-evenYear 25

That last part is what the payback number alone hides. Once the system has paid for itself around year five, it keeps generating for two more decades, quietly turning your roof into one of the steadier returns you can make on your home.

How big can you go?

Your system size is capped by two things: how much usable roof you have, and your home’s electrical supply.

Single-phase

~13 kWp max

What most landed homes run on, and the practical ceiling for it.

Three-phase

20–50+ kWp

Far more headroom for bigger roofs and higher bills.

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Where the money comes from

Two ways solar pays you.

Understanding these two is the whole game. Both matter in Singapore, and in 2026 the second one is finally worth real money again.

Power you use

Every unit your panels make and you use straight away is a unit you do not buy from the grid at about S$0.30/kWh. This is the biggest saving.

Power you export

Whatever you do not use flows back to the grid, and SP currently pays around S$0.22/kWh for it. Real money, even when no one is home.

Most landed homes are quiet through the sunniest hours, so a good share gets exported. That is fine. At S$0.22, export still pulls real weight in your payback.

The honest catch

When it is not worth it.

A salesperson skips this part. We would rather say it now than put you in a system you regret. Solar may not pay off if:

Your monthly bill is under about S$150, so the savings stay small.
Your usable roof is tiny, or in shade for much of the day.
You are about to move, or the roof needs replacing first.

For everyone else, a sound, sunny roof with a real bill makes solar one of the safer long-term returns you can make on your home.

So, is it worth it for you?

Only your roof can answer that.

Every home sits a little differently to the sun. The honest answer is your own numbers, not a national average. See your estimate in two minutes, or book a survey and we will measure your actual roof before anyone talks about money.

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Common questions

Still wondering?

How much can solar really save in Singapore?

A typical landed home saves roughly S$1,450 to S$3,800 a year, depending on roof size, your bill, and how much power you use during daylight hours.

What is the payback period for solar in Singapore?

About 5 to 6 years for most suitable landed homes at current installed prices and SP 2025 tariffs. After that, the system runs largely free for the rest of its 20 to 25 year life.

What size solar system do I need?

Most landed homes install between 12 and 20 kWp. A single-phase supply caps you at about 13 kWp, while three-phase can go much higher. The right size depends on your roof, your bill, and how much you want to export.

Is solar still worth it if I am out during the day?

Yes. Power you do not use is exported to the grid, and SP currently pays around S$0.22 per kWh for it. You earn from export even when nobody is home.

Is solar worth it for a smaller home or a low bill?

If your bill is under about S$150 a month, or your usable roof is small, the savings may be too modest to justify the cost. We will tell you honestly if that is your situation.

How do I know if it is worth it for my home specifically?

Run the calculator for an honest estimate in two minutes, or book a free on-site survey where we measure your actual roof, shading, and setup before anyone talks about money.

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