Skip to main content
Electricity meters, panels, solar cells, and a water tap for calculating utility bills.Energy and utilities.
KamnuanlekOS

Calculate the cost of solar cells

Calculate solar cell savings, payback periods, ROI and CO₂ reduction for Thai homes.

expensesVerifiable formulaYou can save and share results.

Yearly reference rate 2026

Calculated from the average regional solar performance ratio 80% and the deterioration rate 0.5%/year.

The results are estimates for investment planning.

Cost of Solar Cells Calculator

The Cost of Solar Cells Calculator estimates a utility tariff estimate for your scenario from the quantities, rates, period, units and other assumptions requested on the page. Replace the example values with your own solar cells figures and recalculate after changing an assumption. Treat it as a planning estimate and independently verify the current rule or provider terms.

Fill in the size of the solar cell system, current electricity bill, and region to calculate the electricity output, savings per month/year, payback period, and return over 25 years.

General Household 3-10 kW | 1 kW ≈ 2-3 Panels

Use the numbers from the bill.

Starting value 4.2 baht/kWh (average household use over 150 units)

Starting value 25,000 baht/kW (market price of year 2026 On-grid system)

Formula used for calculation

  • Power output per day = System size (kW) × Peak Sun Hours × Performance Ratio (0.80) × Roof orientation multiplier
  • Power produced per month = Power produced per day × 30 days
  • Savings per month = min(power output per month × electricity rate, current monthly electricity bill)
  • Depreciation = 0.5% per year (year N produced = year 1 × (1 − 0.005 × (N−1)))
  • Payback period = Cumulative savings in the first year − Cumulative maintenance costs − System cost ≥ 0
  • ROI = (net profit 25 year ÷ system price) × 100%
  • CO₂ reduction = electricity production per year × 0.499 kg CO₂/kWh (EGAT Emission Factor value 2024)

Calculation example

Example: House in Bangkok, electricity charges 3,000 baht/month, system installed 5 kW, roof facing south

  • Power produced per day = 5 × 4.5 × 0.80 × 1.0 = 18.0 kWh/day
  • Power produced per month = 18.0 × 30 = 540 kWh/month
  • Savings per month = min(540 × 4.2, 3,000) = min(2,268, 3,000) = 2,268 baht
  • System price = 5 × 25,000 = 125,000 baht
  • Savings per year = 2,268 × 12 = 27,216 baht
  • Return on investment approximately = ~5 years (after maintenance)

Frequently asked questions

How many kW does a typical home solar panel need?
Typical house electricity bill 2,000-4,000 baht/month usually installed system 3-5 kW while electricity bill 5,000+ baht/month recommended 5-10 kW depending on roof area and budget
How many years does a solar cell pay for itself?
On-grid systems in Thai homes usually pay back within 6-9 years, depending on the system size, current electricity bill, roof orientation and region. The system has a service life of 25 years or more.
How much does it cost to maintain a solar cell per year?
Normal maintenance costs are approximately 2,000-3,000 baht/year for panel cleaning, system checks and general cleaning. The inverter may need to change the year at 10-15
What's the best roof orientation for solar cells?
South facing roofs are the best in Thailand, followed by east-west (~85%) and north facing roofs are the worst (~70%).
How many Peak Sun Hours in Thailand?
The average 4.0-4.8 hours/day. Eastern region has the most (~4.8) South region has the least (~4.0) because of clouds more than in Bangkok and Central region average ~4.5 hours/day.
What is the electricity rate in Thailand?
Progressive Rate — The more you use, the more expensive it is per unit. MEA/PEA has a rate of 3 per period as announced by the Energy Regulatory Commission (EGC) plus the FT (Fuel Tariff) that changes every 4 month.
What is the FT value and how does it affect the power value?
FT (Fuel Adjustment Charge) is an adjustment based on fuel costs, adjusted every 4 months. If FT is positive, it means the electricity bill is more expensive. If it's negative it's cheaper. As a result, the monthly electricity bill can change by 5-15%.
How can we save on electricity?
Turn off non-user devices (standby consumes 5-10% of electricity bills), replace old bulbs with LEDs, set air conditioning to 25-26°C, wash once full, check insulation and seal refrigerator doors.

Official reference source

Important note: This tool is a preliminary calculation to help assess the value of solar cell installation. Actual results depend on weather conditions, roof slope, shade, panel brand and actual market price. Experts should be consulted before making a decision.

English calculator guide

How to use the Cost of Solar Cells Calculator

Use this page to test a specific solar cells scenario. Enter your own values in the calculator above, review the units beside each field, and recalculate after changing an assumption. The result updates the cost of solar cells estimate instead of relying on a generic example.

  1. Build a baseline solar cells case with figures that match your situation.
  2. Run a second solar cells case after changing the rate, period, quantity or other key assumption.
  3. Record the difference between the two solar cells results and the input responsible for it.

Inputs for the solar cells estimate

For this solar cells calculation, check the quantities, rates, period, units and other assumptions requested on the page. The result is designed to show a utility tariff estimate for your scenario, not a guaranteed provider price or official decision.

How the solar cells result is calculated

The calculator applies the displayed usage bands, tariff assumptions and billing components to the consumption entered. Reusing the same solar cells inputs will produce the same estimate, which makes the page suitable for controlled scenario comparisons.

Checks for a solar cells decision

Confirm any current rate, threshold or provider rule that could change the final amount. For solar cells, Use the estimate to plan a household or service cost. Actual charges can differ because of provider tariffs, minimum fees, taxes, location and billing-period adjustments. Because this calculation can affect an important financial, legal or health decision, independently verify the inputs and current rules before relying on the result.

Language QA
Terminology, numeric values and calculator controls checked
Calculator scope
Utility tariff
Last English review
26 July 2026

Responsibility for content

Creator and reviewer

Creator
Kamnuanlek editorial team
reviewer
Kamnuanlek recipe and resource review team
Check out the latest accountability system.

Review formula structure, test cases, data sources, effective dates, and risk language accordingly.How to check our · There is no claim that an outside professional reviewed it. Unless the page directly states the name and qualifications. This content is therefore not individual advice.

Found an error or information has been changed? When contacting, please include the URL and a verifiable reference.Learn how to report and save edits. · Contact the team