By Solar Sunyield | Updated: February 2026
Category: Financial Analysis | Read Time: 6 Minutes
If your monthly TNB bill exceeds RM 800, you are likely paying for more than just electricity, you are paying for "peak" inefficiency. With the new Solar ATAP (Accelerated Transition Action Programme) framework now active, the rules of the game have changed.
Gone are the simple days of Net Energy Metering (NEM) 3.0. In 2026, understanding the gap between your Import Rate (what you pay TNB) and your Offset Rate (what TNB pays you) is the secret to maximizing your Return on Investment (ROI).
In this case study, we audit a 14.08kWp Solar System for a property consuming 1,501 kWh/month with a heavy night-time usage profile (30% Day / 70% Night)
Under the new Solar ATAP structure, your electricity bill is unbundled. You don’t just pay for energy; you pay for the network and capacity to deliver it.
When you import power at night, you pay for three distinct components:
Energy Charge: RM 0.3703 /kWh
Capacity Charge: RM 0.0455 /kWh
Network Charge: RM 0.1285 /kWh
Forecast AFA (Rebate): -RM 0.0499 /kWh (February 2026)
π Total Effective Rate: RM 0.4944 per kWh
When you export excess solar during the day:
Offset Rate: RM 0.3700 per kWh (Energy Charge only)
β οΈ The "Price Gap": Every time you export a unit of solar energy, you earn RM 0.37. Every time you buy that same unit back at night, you pay RM 0.49. You lose RM 0.12 per kWh by treating the grid as your "battery." This simple math is why physical batteries are the new gold standard for ROI.
We modeled three setups to see which yields the highest financial return.
Usage: 1,501 kWh (30% Day / 70% Night)
Monthly Bill: RM 824.29
10-Year Liability: ~RM 114,000 (paid to TNB)
Investment: RM 3X,XXX.XX
Configuration: Panels + Ongrid Inverter (No Battery)
Because you use 70% of your power at night, this system exports a massive amount of power during the day. You earn credits, but you are still forced to buy expensive power at night.
Night Grid Import: ~1,051 kWh (Cost: RM 519.47)
Day Solar Export: ~1,028 kWh (Credit: -RM 380.25)
New Monthly Bill: RM 163.55
Monthly Savings: RM 660.74
π ROI Verdict:
Payback Period: 4 Years ++
10-Year Net Profit: RM 46,788
Best for: Pure financial investors who don't care about blackouts.
Investment: RM 4X,XXX.XX
Configuration: Hybrid Inverter + 1x Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
This is the "Sweet Spot." The battery captures the daytime excess (worth only RM 0.37 if sold) and lets you use it at night (saving you RM 0.49). You effectively close the price gap.
Night Grid Import: Reduced to ~568 kWh
New Monthly Bill: RM 100.56
Monthly Savings: RM 723.73
π ROI Verdict (Recommended):
Payback Period: 4 Years ++
10-Year Net Profit: RM 43,847
Best for: Smart homeowners. You trade <1 year of payback time for 24/7 blackout protection.
Investment: RM 5X,XXX.XX
Configuration: Maximum Storage Independence
You are essentially off-grid. The two batteries store enough power to run your air conditioning through the night. You pay TNB almost nothing.
Night Grid Import: Reduced to ~86 kWh
New Monthly Bill: RM 34.82
Monthly Savings: RM 789.47
π ROI Verdict:
Payback Period: 5 Years ++
10-Year Net Profit: RM 43,736
Best for: Energy independence enthusiasts who want to "fire" their utility company.
| Feature | Solar PV System Only (14.08kWp) | Solar PV System (14.08kWp) + 16.07kWh Battery Storage System (1 Unit) | Solar PV System (14.08kWp) + 16.07kWh Battery Storage System (2 Unit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | RM 3X,XXX.XX | RM 4X,XXX.XX | RM 5X,XXX.XX |
| TNB Bill Before | RM 801.61 | RM 801.61 | RM 801.61 |
| TNB Bill After | RM 163.00 | RM 100.00 | RM 34.00 |
| Monthly Saving (RM) | RM 660.75 | RM 723.75 | RM 789.50 |
| Monthly Saving by % | 82.42% | 90.28% | 98.48% |
| Annual Savings (RM) | RM 7,929.00 | RM 8,685.00 | RM 9,474.00 |
| Return of Investment (ROI- Payback) | 4 Years ++ | 4 Years ++ | 5 Years ++ |
| Backup Power | None | Essentials | Whole Home Consumption |
Q: Is Solar ATAP better than the old NEM 3.0? A: Financially, NEM 3.0 was simpler (1-to-1 offset). Solar ATAP requires smarter energy management. However, with the cost of batteries dropping in 2026, Solar ATAP allows for greater energy independence and security than NEM ever did.
Q: How long do solar batteries last in Malaysia? A: Modern LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries are rated for 6,000+ cycles. In a typical Malaysian home, this translates to 10–15 years of daily use before they need replacement.
Q: Can I finance the RM 43,000 cost? A: Yes. Most Malaysian banks (Maybank, CIMB, RHB) offer Green Financing rates as low as 3.5%, allowing you to swap your TNB bill for a lower monthly loan repayment immediately.
If you want the fastest return, choose Scenario A. A 4.1-year payback is unbeatable in any investment market.
However, we strongly recommend Scenario B (Solar + 1 Battery). For an additional RM 10,500, you gain:
Inflation Proofing: Protection against future hikes in the Capacity or Network charges.
Security: Your lights stay on during thunderstorms and grid failures.
Efficiency: You stop selling your power at a discount.
Ready to calculate your own savings? Get a free site inspection and custom ROI report for your home today.
Malaysia