GetSolar FAQs – Property Owners

Frequently Asked Questions

General

pioneering initiative in Singapore, our Rent-To-Own program offers an affordable option for residential solar solutions. We take care of everything from installing to maintaining the rooftop solution with no initial expenses.

With this scheme, you will pay a fixed monthly fee that is anticipated to be less than your current electricity bill. This way, you can start saving from the very beginning, all while enjoying a hassle-free experience.

At the end of your Rent-To-Own contract, the solar system seamlessly transitions into your ownership without any added costs. This grants you a virtually risk-free solar solution.

In short, yes. Solar panels are a smart choice for renewable energy. 

In Singapore’s climate where it is sunny all year round, installing solar panels for your home can help you save energy and costs. However, how much you save is dependent on your roof size and site conditions. Find out how much you can potentially save with our simulator tool.

For HDB owners, it is important to note that altering or installing solar panels on your roof is not allowed. 

Condominium owners, on the other hand, may face some restrictions since condominium blocks are considered communal living spaces. However, if you own a penthouse and wish to install solar panels, here is what you need to know:

  1. You will need to seek approval from your condominium’s Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST)
  2. You will not be able to export or sell any excess electricity to the grid
  3. The solar system installed will be considered a “hobby” system and you may have to be liable for any risks to the condominium

Nope. Your solar panels are designed to convert sunlight into energy, so they won’t be generating energy at night or on cloudy days. 

But don’t worry! When your solar panels are taking a break, your home automatically switches to drawing electricity from the grid to keep things running smoothly. It’s all about keeping the lights on, day or night!

In sunny Singapore, most rooftops are a great match for solar panels. However, if your roof is super steep or has a complex design with multiple angles or dormer windows, it might not be the smoothest fit for a solar panel system.

These unique roof features can make panel placement a bit tricky due to limited space, and it might even add some extra costs. So while most roofs are a-ok, it’s always a good idea to have our GetSolar pros take a look to make sure it’s feasible for your specific roof.

Pricing & Costs

The cost of a solar panel installation can vary based on several factors including the number of solar panels needed, roof material, and the complexity of the project. Get a quote for your residential or commercial property with GetSolar today.

Get a personalised solar estimate here.

No, our solar installation contract at GetSolar will offer you a complete breakdown of all costs. Our team will conduct a site visit to assess whether scaffolding is needed, and if required, the cost will be included in your contract.

There are currently no grants available for solar panel installation for residential properties in Singapore. 

For business owners interested in installing solar panels, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark Incentive Scheme for Existing Buildings (GMIS-EB 2.0) is an option worth exploring. Note that your building must first have a Green Mark Certification Rating, which determines the funding factor you are allocated. There are also other eligibility criteria to be met before you can apply for the scheme.

Learn more about the Green Mark Incentive Scheme

The amount of savings you can enjoy will largely depend on 3 factors: 

  1. Your energy consumption patterns
  2. Your existing electricity retailer and utility rate
  3. The number of solar panels that your roof can accommodate

 

Estimate your potential savings with our solar simulator today.

The average payback period for a residential solar panel system is about 6 years. 

However, this largely depends on the size of your solar panel system, your peak electricity consumption times, and your overall electricity usage. Properties with a larger solar panel system and higher energy usage may enjoy shorter payback periods of 4 to 5 years.

Solar Installation Process

Switching to solar is a breeze with GetSolar! Just ask for a free quote, and our team of pros will take it from there, guiding you every step of the way.

  1. First things first, request a free solar estimate.
  2. Our sales team will work their magic, conducting a digital property survey to craft a custom solar system design just for you.
  3. Afterwards, you’ll receive a personalised solar panel proposal that’s tailor-made for your property.
  4. When you’re ready to make the leap, we’ll swing by for a confirmatory site assessment – just to make sure everything’s a perfect fit.
  5. After you’ve signed the contract, it’s installation time! Our experts will set up those solar panels like a pro.
  6. Once your solar panel system is up and running, it’s time for the magic to happen – generating electricity from the sun’s rays.
  7. We’re not done yet! If you’re enrolled in our Rent-To-Own programme or Power Purchase Agreement, enjoy free inspections and maintenance. If you’ve opted for the upfront purchase plan, no worries as we still provide maintenance works at a little extra cost. 

Read our step-by-step guide on solar panel installations to learn more.

Typically roofs are built to withstand human weight, with a point load of at least 100 kg/sqm (for concrete roofs, at least around 250 kg/sqm); while our solar panel system is usually between 30-50 kg/sqm (maximum 70 kg/sqm with concrete ballasts weighing them down on concrete roofs), so there wouldn’t be an issue.

Solar Panel System Maintenance

If you’ve installed solar panels through our Rent-To-Own program (for residential owners) or Power Purchase Agreement (for commercial property owners), no worries – we’ve got you covered with free regular inspections and maintenance.

For those who made an upfront purchase, simply reach out to our team, and we’ll arrange a maintenance session for you, with a little extra cost. Your solar satisfaction is our priority!

Across your Rent-to-own period we’ll be doing 2 types of maintenance – preventive (scheduled regularly, typically once every 1-1.5 years), as well as corrective or ad-hoc maintenance where needed. On our end we will be actively monitoring the systems too since we provide a performance guarantee across the full contract period.

This will of course also include any repairs, servicing etc. so you will not expect any out-of-pocket costs related to the solar system over the lifetime of your contract.

Great question! Performance of the system can be monitored through an app that we will get you to download post installation – don’t worry as we’ll be here to walk you through the process every step of the way.

Technical

The preferred choice among many property owners is a Tier-1 solar panel with a warranty of at least 25 years. Additionally, we recommend monocrystalline panels as they have the most efficient cell technology, giving you the best return on investment.

Most solar panel suppliers in Singapore will only use panels and inverters manufactured by Tier 1 manufacturers globally.

For residential systems, some of the most favoured solar panel brands include Jinko, Trina, JA Solar, and REC; common inverter brands include Huawei, SMA, Fimer and Fronius. This industry-wide preference for renowned brands highlights the commitment to quality and reliability in solar installations in Singapore.

The warranty period for most solar panels is between 12 to 25 years. Within this period, your solar supplier will replace your solar panels for free if they have any defects or have efficiency levels that fall below their guaranteed rates.

Warranties on your solar panels are usually registered with the manufacturers. However, you can rely on your solar installers to contact the manufacturers and handle any replacements covered by the warranties on your behalf.

At GetSolar, we offer a GetSolar guarantee to all customers which encompasses the following:

  1. We monitor your system, ensuring it runs smoothly
  2. We repair your system if anything goes wrong
  3. We pay you back if your system underproduces energy

No, a solar panel system in Singapore often involves a grid-tied setup that does not require solar batteries. This setup enables surplus solar energy to be fed back into the grid.

This depends on your energy usage and roof dimensions – get a personalised quote today.

Absolutely! You can benefit from rebates through SP Group when you sell unused solar energy back to the grid. If you are a homeowner using SP Services, you will receive payments at the standard electricity tariff rate minus grid charges, which typically amounts to 25% of the cost of electricity.

For homeowners under contract with an Open Electricity Market (OEM) retailer, your compensation will be based on the Wholesale Uniform Singapore Energy Price (USEP).