Hot season: Do people need to install solar power?

With rising electricity bills during the summer, especially for households using air conditioners, water heaters, and other high-power appliances, solar power has become a popular choice. However, many people still wonder about the actual installation costs and whether investing in solar power will truly save them money in the long run.

Solar power is a clean energy source that is becoming increasingly popular.

With rising electricity prices, solar power has become a lifeline for many families.

According to the current electricity tariff for household consumption issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade , the highest electricity price has reached 3,460 VND/kWh. For households using more than 400 kWh/month, electricity bills can increase sharply during the hot season.

Therefore, many families are starting to consider installing rooftop solar power to reduce their dependence on the national power grid.

In fact, some households have significantly reduced their electricity bills after installing solar power systems. One family even saw their monthly expenses drop from 5-6 million VND to only 600,000-800,000 VND per month thanks to the use of solar power combined with battery storage.

How much does it cost to install solar panels these days?

According to reports and new policy proposals from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the cost of installing rooftop solar power currently ranges from approximately 12-15 million VND per kWp of capacity.

Depending on usage requirements, common investment levels currently include:

• 3 kWp system: approximately 35 - 45 million VND
• 5 kWp system: approximately 60 - 85 million VND
• 10 kWp system: approximately 120 - 150 million VND

Adding a battery-powered energy storage system (BESS) will significantly increase the total cost, but it will provide electricity even during power outages or at night.

According to electrical industry experts, the 5 kWp system is currently the most popular choice for households because it suits the needs of using air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, and other basic household appliances.

How long does it take to recoup the investment?

The payback period depends on:

• Monthly electricity consumption
• Number of hours of sunshine in the installation area
• Does it use a battery?
• Electricity prices for household use are based on a tiered system.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the average payback period is currently around 4-6 years.

Notably, EVNNPC recommends that households with electricity bills of 800,000 VND/month or more should consider installing solar power for better economic efficiency. For households using less than 300 kWh/month, the investment may not be truly optimal.

Advantages of rooftop solar power

Significantly reduce your electricity bill.

This is the most obvious benefit. Households that use a lot of electricity during the day can save 50-90% on their monthly electricity bills.

Proactive power supply

When combined with battery storage, the system can still provide power in the event of a grid power outage.

Increase the value of your home.

Solar power systems are now considered a green investment, helping to increase property value and create a modern, energy-efficient image.

Contributing to environmental protection

Solar power is a clean, renewable energy source that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pressure on the national power grid.

But not everyone will find the installation suitable.

Despite its benefits, rooftop solar power still has a number of limitations.

High initial investment costs

A system suitable for home use typically costs tens to over a hundred million Vietnamese dong, not including the cost of battery storage.

Weather dependent

Electricity production decreases significantly on rainy days or during the less sunny winter months.

Suitable roof area is needed.

Houses with small roofs, those that are shaded, or those facing unfavorable directions will struggle to achieve optimal performance.

Equipment maintenance and replacement costs

Inverters typically have a shorter lifespan than solar panels and may need replacing after about 8-10 years of use.

The government is considering providing subsidies to people for installing solar power systems.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade is proposing several policies to support households in installing rooftop solar power systems for self-consumption.

Some suggestions include:

• Direct support of up to 2-3 million VND per household.
• Interest rate support for loans
• Installing a power storage system is encouraged.

The goal is to have approximately 50% of households using rooftop solar power by 2030.

Is it a good idea to install solar panels now?

According to experts, solar power is best suited for:

• The family uses a lot of air conditioners.
• The house has a wide roof, with little shade.
• Small businesses use electricity during the day.
• People who want to reduce the long-term burden of electricity bills.

Conversely, for households with low electricity consumption or those without suitable roofing conditions, the investment needs to be carefully calculated to avoid an excessively long payback period.

With electricity prices constantly rising and electricity demand increasing, solar power is gradually becoming a long-term investment for many Vietnamese families, rather than just a temporary trend.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/mua-nang-nong-nguoi-dan-co-can-lap-dat-dien-mat-troi-post900583.html