Besides utilizing solar electricity for your own consumption, you can export the surplus solar electricity to the grid for rebate. This enables you to save on the cost of installing a battery without losing out on the unused electricity.
Exporting Surplus Solar to the Grid
In Singapore, currently, more than 90% of the residential solar systems do not come equipped with battery storage. The reason why battery is less popular in Singapore is due to high upfront costs for the initial set up and relatively slower returns on investment. With the availability of rebate schemes available in Singapore and stability of the national grid, investing in battery storage appears to be less economically viable.
At this juncture, you may have the following questions:
When you install a grid-tied solar system, it acts as another source of electricity supply to your home. A bidirectional meter will be installed to replace your existing meter, measuring both the import of electricity from the grid and export of your surplus solar electricity to the grid. At night or during rainy seasons, when solar is not available or simply insufficient, you will be using power from the grid. There will not be any black out or power shortage issues. The same bidirectional meter will measure any export of solar electricity and this will be reflected in your monthly rebate bill. Your surplus solar which is not consumed by your household will be wasted.
Here is a graph to illustrate the general electricity consumption in a typical household in Singapore. From midnight to the morning, the electricity will be imported from the grid before the solar system starts producing electricity around 7am.
The solar production follows the sun intensity and it peaks at 12 noon where the sun is the strongest. As most of the household members would be out and about during the day. Usually a big portion of the solar electricity is exported to the grid for rebates. Solar production slows down and eventually stops around 7pm where the household members would return home then. The electricity will be imported from the grid for household usage during the night. This cycle continues daily.
There are two payment schemes available for residential solar system owners:
https://www.ema.gov.sg/consumer-information/solar/solar-installation-guide
Simple Credit Treatment Scheme (SCT)
Simple Credit Treatment Scheme (SCT) is for non-contestable consumers who use electricity directly from Singapore Power (SP) Services. Non-contestable consumers who sell surplus solar electricity to the market will be paid at the prevailing tariff minus grid charges.
Grid charges are around 20-25% of electricity tariff. Electricity tariff changes every quarter. The rebate rate will change following the change in electricity tariff with a constant difference of grid charges.
Sample bill for non-contestable client under Simple Treatment Scheme (SCT) after going solar with 9 Helios.
Enhanced Central Intermediary Scheme (ECIS)
Enhanced Central Intermediary Scheme (ECIS) is for contestable consumers who purchase electricity from a retailer other than Singapore Power (SP) services. Under this scheme, contestable consumers can sell excess solar electricity to the market and receive payment based on the prevailing half-hourly wholesale electricity prices.
Sample rebate bill for contestable client under Enhanced Central Intermediary Scheme (ECIS) after going solar with 9 Helios:
If you are interested to learn more about solar for your landed home, please contact us for a free consultation. We understand that the process can be long and complicated to some, we are here to help. We will take care of everything from the application stage to successful commissioning of the solar system.
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