The Complete Guide to Residential Solar in Sarawak (2025 Edition)

Everything homeowners need to know before installing solar panels in Kuching, Samarahan, Sibu, Miri, Bintulu & beyond.

1. Introduction: Why Solar Is Booming in Sarawak

Sarawak is entering a new era of clean, affordable, and reliable energy. With rising electricity costs and stronger state policies pushing renewable adoption, more homeowners are asking the same question:

“Is now the right time to install solar?”

The answer is yes — and here’s why:

✅ Solar saves up to 70–85% on monthly electricity bills

✅ Homeowners can claim rebates up to RM12,000 under NEM

✅ Solar increases home resale value

✅ Panels last 25–30 years with minimal maintenance

✅ Sarawak receives abundant sunlight year-round

For homeowners in Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri, solar is no longer a luxury — it’s now one of the smartest financial decisions you can make.

2. How Residential Solar Works in Sarawak

Most homeowners want solar but don’t know how it actually works. Here’s the simple version:

Step 1 — Sunlight hits your solar panels

Panels convert sunlight into DC (direct current) electricity.

Step 2 — The inverter converts DC → AC

Your home appliances use AC power, so the inverter does the conversion.

Step 3 — Your home uses solar first

During the day, your home is powered by your own solar energy.

Step 4 — Excess energy is exported to the grid via NEM

You earn credits when you send surplus solar energy to SESCO.

Step 5 — At night, you use grid electricity + your stored credits

You still have electricity even when the sun isn’t shining.

This is why even smaller systems can drastically cut your bill — because most families’ heavy usage (fridge, AC, washing machine, lights) happens during the day.

3. How Much Does Solar Cost in Sarawak?

Solar prices vary depending on roof type, usage, and brand, but here is a realistic range for Sarawak in 2025:

Residential Solar Price Guide (Sarawak)

System Size	Suitable Home Type	Est. Daily Savings	Average Cost (RM)
4.0 kWp	Small homes / low usage	RM6–RM8/day	RM14,000–RM18,000
6.0 kWp	Medium terrace / semi-D	RM10–RM15/day	RM20,000–RM25,000
8.0 kWp	Large terrace / semi-D	RM15–RM25/day	RM28,000–RM35,000
10–12 kWp	Bungalows / high usage	RM25–RM35/day	RM38,000–RM55,000

Financing options such as 0% instalment plans are also available through Hornbill Solar, making it affordable for more families.

4. How Much You Can Save — Real Examples

Your actual savings depend on your TNB bill before solar. Below is a realistic calculation:

Example Savings for a RM500 Monthly Bill

Item	Amount
Pre-solar bill	RM500
Post-solar bill	RM80–RM120
Monthly savings	RM380–RM420
Yearly savings	RM4,560–RM5,040
10-year savings	RM45,000–RM50,000
20-year savings	RM90,000–RM100,000+

Most homeowners break even within 5–7 years. After that, all your energy is practically free.

5. NEM Sarawak Explained — How Homeowners Receive RM12,000

The Net Energy Metering (NEM) scheme allows homeowners to export excess solar energy to SESCO and earn rebates.

✅ Benefits of NEM

• Up to RM12,000 in rebates

• Credits roll over monthly

• Faster ROI

• Lower monthly TNB bills instantly

• Guaranteed 1-to-1 offset for surplus energy for 15 years

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✅ Eligibility

You must be:

• A residential customer

• The home owner (or have authorization)

• Connected to the grid

• Able to install rooftop solar

Hornbill Solar handles all applications, paperwork, and submission for NEM in Sarawak.

6. The Solar Installation Process (Step-by-Step)

At Hornbill Solar, we make the entire process transparent and easy:

Step 1: Free Consultation

We study your monthly bill and understand your home usage.

Step 2: Bill Analysis & System Sizing

We propose the ideal system size with savings calculation.

Step 3: Site Assessment

We check your roof strength, shading, and sun exposure.

Step 4: Engineering Design

Custom solar layout based on your roof.

Step 5: NEM Approval with SESCO

We manage your entire NEM submission.

Step 6: Installation (1–2 days)

Certified installers complete wiring, mounting, and testing.

Step 7: Go Live

Your system is activated and starts generating electricity.

Step 8: 24/7 Monitoring

Hornbill Solar provides monitoring so you always know your system health and output.

7. What Type of Roof Is Suitable for Solar?

Good news — almost all Sarawak homes are suitable.

✅ Concrete roofs✅ Clay tiles✅ Metal deck✅ Flat roofs (mounting required)

Key factors we evaluate:

• Sun direction

• Shading from trees or neighbouring homes

• Roof age and structure

• Wind load and waterproofing

Even if your roof has minor shading, we optimise the layout for maximum output.

8. How Long Solar Panels Last & What Maintenance You Need

Solar panels today are extremely durable. Most homeowners forget they even have them.

✅ Panel lifespan: 25–30 years

✅ Inverter lifespan: 10–12 years

✅ Product warranty: 10–15 years

✅ Performance guarantee: 25 years

Maintenance is minimal:

• Clean panels only once or twice per year

• Ensure no large branches suddenly block sunlight

• Monitoring alerts you of any issues

Hornbill Solar provides ongoing support and monitoring to maximise your savings.

9. How to Choose a Solar Company in Sarawak

Not all installers are the same. Here’s what to look for:

✅ Must be an experienced solar EPCC company

✅ Uses Tier-1 panels and inverters

✅ Includes 24/7 monitoring

✅ Handles NEM submission

✅ Provides solid after-sales support

✅ Has a physical presence in Sarawak

Why Hornbill Solar?

• Specialised in residential rooftop solar

• Local team in Kuching & Kota Kinabalu

• High-quality Tier-1 equipment

• Fast installation

• Trusted engineering team

• Transparent pricing

• 24/7 system monitoring

Your home deserves the best — and a system that lasts decades.

10. Real Homeowner Case Studies

(You can replace these with real names later)

Case Study: 6 kWp in Kuching

• Old bill: RM450/month

• New bill: RM60–RM90

• Savings: RM360–RM390/month

• ROI: 5.5 years

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Case Study: 12 kWp in Kota Samarahan

• Old bill: RM800/month

• New bill: RM120/month

• Savings: RM680/month

• ROI: 5 years

These are the types of results Sarawak homeowners are now enjoying every month.

11. Conclusion: Solar Is Now the Best Investment for Sarawak Homes

Installing solar is one of the easiest and most profitable decisions you can make as a homeowner:

✅ Save up to 85% on your electricity bill

✅ Protect yourself from rising energy prices

✅ Increase home value

✅ Reduce carbon footprint

✅ Government incentives still available

With the right installer, the process is fast, affordable, and stress-free.

Ready to start saving?

Visit Hornbill Solar or message us for a free bill analysis and personalised quote.