How expensive is the electricity bill in 2026? Is installing a solar roof worth it for Thai homes?

How much will electricity costs increase in 2026? And will solar roofs really help?
Situation Overview — Why are people talking more about solar roofs?
In 2026, many in Thailand are beginning to realize that "energy costs," particularly electricity costs, are steadily increasing. This is primarily due to rising oil and fuel prices and the subsequent increase in electricity production costs.

Therefore, many households and building owners are considering installing "solar roofs" or rooftop solar cell systems as an option to reduce their electricity bills in the long term. Meanwhile, the cost of solar installations has decreased compared to previous years.

In this article, we'll provide a clear assessment —

How much electricity costs will actually increase in 2025?
How much will installing a solar roof save?

The break-even point and conditions to consider.

Electricity prices in 2025 — Understanding the forecast
Although residential electricity prices have a multi-tiered structure (basic electricity tariff, fuel tariff, taxes, etc.), the overall trend is "increasing electricity costs," particularly as global oil and gas prices rise, which in turn causes fluctuations in electricity production costs.

Data for 2025 indicates that for many households, the average electricity bill for daytime energy use could be around 5,000-6,500 baht per month, depending on the number of appliances and how they are used (e.g., computers and air conditioners are used during the day).

At this level, households will experience significant annual electricity bills, especially without clear cost-cutting measures.

Why are solar roofs being considered?
Decreasing costs — The price of solar panels and related equipment has decreased significantly in recent years, making residential solar roof installations more affordable.

Conducive policies and laws — The Thai government recently simplified regulations for residential/commercial solar roof installations in 2025 to promote renewable energy.

Medium- to Long-Term Payback — For those with high electricity bills and heavy daytime use, solar roofs may pay back within 3–6 years (depending on usage patterns). and the size of the installed system).
Therefore, 2025 presents a "golden opportunity" for many households to seriously consider solar roofs.

Assessment: If you use such high electricity costs, can solar roofs really help you save money?
Let's consider a typical residential scenario:

Suppose a home has an average monthly electricity bill of 5,200 baht (high daytime electricity usage).
If a 5 kW solar roof system (a popular size for most homes) is installed — in the current market, the estimated installation cost is 230,000 baht (± slightly) (depending on equipment and quality).
If the system produces electricity at its full potential If your home uses electricity almost exclusively during the daytime (e.g., air conditioners, computers, and other appliances), the system can reduce your electricity bill by approximately 4,000–5,000 baht per month (instead of purchasing electricity from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand).
Break-Even Point Calculation
Assume:

Electricity savings = 5,000 baht per month → 60,000 baht per year
Installation cost = 230,000 baht
Then

230,000 ÷ 60,000 ≈ 3.8 years
This means that within 3–4 years, the solar roof system will pay for itself, and after that, “free electricity” for your home (except for minor maintenance costs).

Many people who have actually calculated the costs find that solar roof systems are cost-effective, especially when electricity bills are higher and electricity usage is high during the daytime.

Limitations & Conditions to Consider Before Installing a Solar Roof
Although solar roofs seem worthwhile, there are conditions to consider before making a decision.

The home should have a “roof that can support the weight and has sufficient space” — if the roof structure is weak, additional structural reinforcement may be necessary.
If electricity users are low (Electricity bills not exceeding ~1,500–2,000 baht/month) The system may be slow to pay back, or not worthwhile at all.
If your home uses a lot of electricity at night (e.g., running the air conditioner all night), an on-grid solar roof system alone may not be enough — a battery connection (hybrid/off-grid) may be required → significantly higher costs.
Quality of equipment and installation are important. Using low-quality materials or unskilled technicians may lower efficiency and increase the risk of premature failure.

How to get the most value from a solar roof for your home?
Assess your home's electricity usage patterns — If you use a lot of electricity during the day, such as running the air conditioner or multiple appliances, a solar roof can be a great solution.
Choose the right system size — a 5 kW system is usually suitable for a typical home of 3–4 people. For larger homes or those with high-power appliances, 7–10 kW may be needed.
Use high-quality equipment — solar panels, inverters, wiring, and installation must meet standards.
Consider government deductions/credits — often offering tax breaks or incentives. Monitor electricity usage and output — Verify that the system is generating electricity as expected (kWh/month). Plan for efficient daytime power usage.

Case Study: Bangkok Houses That Really Cost Effective Solar Roofing
A report shows that a Bangkok house with a 5-6 kW solar roof system installed saw its electricity bills drop by more than 50% during sunny months. The break-even point is expected to occur within 3-5 years. This is due to the house's behavior: heavy daytime electricity consumption (using the air conditioner, working from home), and some excess electricity can be sold back to the grid under the Net-Metering/Buy-back scheme (for households with qualifying requirements).

This case demonstrates that if the "behavior, home conditions, and system size" are right, solar roofing is "real and fast."

Long-term perspective: Solar roofs are an "energy investment," not just a way to reduce electricity bills.
Solar panels have a long lifespan (typically 20-25 years).
After the break-even point, the house receives free electricity (except for minor maintenance costs).
Reduce the burden of "fluctuating energy bills" — no need to worry about rising electricity prices or global energy prices.
There is an opportunity to sell electricity back to the grid (if there is a policy to purchase electricity from the public).
For this reason, solar roofs should be viewed as "energy real estate" that provides long-term returns, not just temporary cost savings.

Conclusion: 2026 — If you use a lot of electricity, we recommend seriously considering solar roofs.
Electricity bills in 2026 are likely to increase, and energy costs remain uncertain.
Installation prices