With Singapore’s aggressive push towards the adoption of more environmentally sustainable solutions such as EVs, evident from the government’s EV Early Adoption Incentive (EEAI) and Enhanced Vehicular Emissions Scheme (VES) , one might have stumbled upon solar panel installation on their home or property as a cost-efficient energy solution.
If you’ve ever thought of installing solar panels in Singapore, this article will seek to answer your burning questions: am I allowed to install solar panels in Singapore, what is the installation process like, what are the costs, and more.
If you have private roof space that can accommodate solar panels, you will be able to install solar panels on your own property without any additional permission required. This is mostly applicable for landed homeowners.
However, if you happen to stay in a strata landed property or condominium (even if it is a condo penthouse), you will have to obtain permission from your MCST. Do note though, that installing solar within these premises is often not an ideal solution from a cost perspective due to reduced payback.
If you happen to live in a HDB flat, installing solar panels on your block will most probably be a joint decision by government bodies. Even so, the solar panels will be used to power common amenities, so you should not expect to see similar cost savings to that of typical residential solar panel installations. Similarly, individual unit owners are also not allowed to install solar panel systems within their own premises.
On average, solar panel installation will cost from S$18,000 to S$36,000 or more, and this cost may vary amongst different types of residential property. This depends on a multitude of factors, such as your available roof space, presence of roof access and much more. To get the most updated breakdown of the cost components of solar installation in Singapore, do read our cost breakdown article here.
Contrary to popular belief, you can actually look to DIY your system – planning permission is generally not required unless you are:
However, this is highly discouraged due to the extensive amount of expertise, logistics and processes you need to abide by. This includes designing your own solar panel system, engaging licensed electrical workers (LEWs) to approve your system, as well as the wiring & connection of your solar panel system to your DB box/inverter, which poses extreme levels of risk to perform by yourself, especially if you do not have direct roof access.
We will almost always recommend engaging a contractor to help you with your solar panel installation, which will arguably be safer than a DIY system, with a contractor being able to ensure the safety of all workers during the installation phase.
Furthermore, a contractor will also be able to provide long term solar maintenance, both preventive and corrective, for your solar panel system, which also requires considerable time and expertise.
The process of installing solar in Singapore is relatively straightforward, and can take between weeks to months to complete, depending on the size of the project and the logistics required.
This first step is relatively straightforward – simply drop an email, call or text to any of the available solar contractors in Singapore. If you would like a guide as to how best to seek quotes, you can refer to our article here which elaborates on what to look out when obtaining quotes, as well as the cost components you are paying for.
Upon reviewing the solar proposal on your own discretion, you would be able to speak to a sales specialist about it, who will go through the proposal with you & clarify any further questions. Most of the time, the first proposal will contain an initial design & layout of the panels, as well as a rough price estimate. If there is additional equipment or logistics required, which can only be determined on-site, prices might change accordingly.
A confirmatory site visit will be then done at your convenience, where you will learn more about how your solar panel system will be designed. You can also take this chance to voice any concerns about the installation of the system, which will be clarified and taken note of.
Upon confirmation, solar panel installation will then commence, which will take on average 4-6 days. Internal testing will also be done upon installation to ensure the system is properly installed
A Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW) will then commission and activate your PV system. This process will involve securing the required electrical licenses, as well as testing the electrical connections once again.
Solar battery systems are normally not worth it due to the high initial costs, as well as the existing sell back schemes in Singapore which make battery installations redundant. Below is a table summarising the total costs for installing batteries in a typical solar panel system of 10kWp.
| Component | Cost/unit | Cumulative Cost |
| Battery (Tesla Powerwall 2) x 2 | $11,000 | $22,000 |
| Hybrid Inverter | $3,000-$5,000 | $27,000 |
| Battery Management System | $1,000 – $2,000 | $29,000 |
| Labor | $1,500 – $2,500 | $31,500 |
A standard 10 kWp residential solar panel system, suitable for most landed properties in Singapore, usually costs between S$15,000 to S$20,000, with an average price of around S$18,000. When it comes to battery storage, popular options like the Tesla Powerwall 2 are priced between S$10,000 to S$13,000 per unit, inclusive of installation. Each Powerwall has a storage capacity of 13.5 kWh, which is sufficient to meet part of a household’s energy needs. However, to provide adequate energy storage and backup for higher consumption, most homeowners would require two units, bringing the total battery cost to approximately S$22,000 (2 × S$11,000).
In addition to the batteries, other components and upgrades are often necessary. A hybrid inverter, which supports the integration of the battery system, may cost between S$3,000 and S$5,000, compared to a regular inverter which may cost just $1,000. A Battery Management System (BMS), crucial for monitoring and maintaining the performance of the batteries, adds another S$1,000 to S$2,000. Lastly, the labor and integration costs for installing the battery system can range from S$1,500 to S$2,500.
While Singapore’s electricity tariff is approximately 28.12 cents per kWh (excluding GST), a 10 kWp solar panel system can generate about 1,200 kWh per month on average.
Assuming you use 400kWh of electricity per month, this translates to about $224 worth of electricity stored per month (800kWh × S$0.28). However, due to Singapore’s solar sellback scheme, homeowners can already sell excess solar energy back to the grid without requiring battery storage. Granted, you will only be able to sell back at 80% of the original tariff price, which will be about $179.20 per month total.
Although you will be able to save an extra margin of 20% by purchasing batteries, which is about $45 a month, you are effectively spending at least $175 per month, assuming a battery lifespan of 15 years. Therefore, purchasing solar batteries is most often a net negative and not recommended in Singapore currently.
| With Batteries | Without Batteries | ||
| Total Cost/Month | Total Savings/Month | Total Cost/Month | Total Savings/Month |
| $175 | $224 | $0 | $179 |
| Net Savings | $49 | Net Savings | $179 |
As illustrated, purchasing solar batteries will often result in a decrease in savings.
Are you currently considering going solar for your home, but wish to seek expert advice? At FOMO Energy, we have successfully built & maintained over 190 solar panel projects, enabling our homeowners to save up to 80% of their initial bills. With extended comprehensive warranties available 5 year warranties, and round-the-clock monitoring to boot, we always ensure our customers get the best out of their roof, and ultimately their system without any faults & 100% peace-of-mind.
Interested in getting a quote from us? Simply WhatsApp us at +65 80610116 or fill up our contact form here!
