4 Ways To Make Your Solar ATAP Pay Back Faster
Just use more of your solar during the day.
Under Solar ATAP, the more Solar Electricity you use directly, the faster your system pays for itself.
1. Use Your Solar Electricity During the Day
The golden rule of solar:
The more Solar Electricity you use directly, the more you save.
- When you use Solar Electricity at home, you avoid paying the full TNB tariff for that kWh (including the charges, surcharges, and taxes that come with it).
- When you sell the excess, you receive Solar ATAP credits at a lower rate. (see how it works →)
That’s why direct solar usage MATTERS MOST.
Run these during the day whenever possible:
Dryer
Dish Washer
Washing Machine
Water Heater
Direct Solar Usage = Faster Payback
How Usage Affects Your Payback
If you use TNB as your battery, there is a cost involved – the difference between what you pay for electricity and what you sell it for.
| Direct Solar Usage | Annual Savings | Payback |
|---|---|---|
| 25% | RM4,092 | 6.8 years |
| 50% | RM4,872 | 5.7 years |
| 75% | RM5,448 | 5.1 years |
| 100% | RM6,000 | 4.7 years |
If you use 100% of the Solar Electricity your system generates, your payback is less than 5 years.
Remember, a typical Solar System lasts well over 10 years, so the faster it pays back, the more you save over time.
If you’re a higher usage household (e.g. above 1,500kWh/month) where the tariff is ~37% higher, solar can also help reduce what you “purchase” from TNB and potentially bring you into the lower tariff band.
2. Size Your System Right
Bigger isn’t always better.
Too Large
Too much energy goes back to the grid at lower value.
Too Small
You miss out on savings.
The goal is simple:
Match your system to your actual usage, so more solar is used directly.
Under Solar ATAP, you can still upsize your system later if needed (subject to approval).
3. Take Advantage of TOU Tariffs
With Time of Use (TOU) tariffs:
Peak Hour
More Expensive
2pm – 10pm
Off-Peak Hour
Cheaper
2pm – 10pm
Solar generates power during the day. If you don’t use all of it, you sell the excess and receive Solar ATAP credits. These credits can be used to offset your peak-usage first, when electricity is more expensive.
That means:
Lower overall electricity cost
Better savings compared to non-TOU users
(New to TOU? See how it works. →)
4. Charge Your EV with the Sun
Solar and EVs are a perfect match.
Most EV chargers allow scheduled charging, so you can charge your car when solar production is highest.
That means:
- Less grid electricity
- Much higher direct solar usage
↑ Direct Usage
=
↑ Savings
For EV owners, this can dramatically shorten payback.
The Bottom Line
Solar already saves you money. But if you want to maximise returns and shorten payback:
Use more Solar Electricity during the day.
Size your system correctly.
Optimise your tariff (TOU helps).
Charge your EV with solar.
Do these well and you’ll unlock more savings, faster payback and decades of lower electricity bills.
How Much Could You Save – And How Fast?
Click the button below to estimate your usage, savings, and payback.