Solar Savings by System Size — Complete Breakdown
This table shows annual savings, payback period, and 25-year net returns for every system size Enon Traders installs. All calculations use August 2026 tariff rates and assume on-grid with net metering.
| System | Cost | Annual Output | Annual Saving | Payback | 25-Year Net Saving* | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3kW | Rs 380K | 4,320 kWh | Rs 151K–173K | 22–30 mo | Rs 3.0M – Rs 3.5M | 690–820% |
| 5kW | Rs 650K | 7,200 kWh | Rs 252K–288K | 18–24 mo | Rs 5.1M – Rs 5.9M | 685–810% |
| 6kW | Rs 750K | 8,640 kWh | Rs 302K–346K | 18–24 mo | Rs 6.1M – Rs 7.1M | 710–850% |
| 8kW | Rs 900K | 11,520 kWh | Rs 403K–461K | 16–22 mo | Rs 8.2M – Rs 9.5M | 810–960% |
| 10kW | Rs 1,100K | 14,400 kWh | Rs 420K–504K | 14–20 mo | Rs 8.5M – Rs 10.5M | 670–855% |
| 15kW | Rs 1,500K | 21,600 kWh | Rs 756K–864K | 14–18 mo | Rs 15.4M – Rs 17.9M | 930–1090% |
| 20kW | Rs 1,900K | 28,800 kWh | Rs 1,008K–1,152K | 12–18 mo | Rs 20.5M – Rs 23.8M | 980–1150% |
| 25kW | Rs 2,300K | 36,000 kWh | Rs 1,260K–1,440K | 12–16 mo | Rs 25.7M – Rs 29.8M | 1020–1200% |
| 30kW | Rs 2,700K | 43,200 kWh | Rs 1,382K–1,728K | 18–24 mo | Rs 28.0M – Rs 35.7M | 940–1220% |
| 50kW | Rs 4,200K | 72,000 kWh | Rs 2,520K–3,456K | 15–20 mo | Rs 51.3M – Rs 71.5M | 1120–1600% |
*25-year net saving = total energy value minus system cost minus one inverter replacement at year 12. Assumes 0.5% annual panel degradation, 4.5 peak sun hours, and no tariff increase (actual savings will be higher as tariffs rise).
The numbers speak for themselves: even the smallest 3kW system returns 7–8× its cost over 25 years. A 50kW commercial system returns 11–16×. No bank deposit, property investment, or stock market position in Pakistan delivers these returns with this certainty.
Want a custom ROI calculation built on your actual tariff slab and consumption? Our team does this for every project — free.
💬 Get My Custom ROIHow Solar Savings Actually Work — The Maths
Solar does not "reduce" your bill by a percentage. It replaces your most expensive grid units first — the top tariff slabs. This is why solar saves more per unit than your average bill rate suggests.
The Tariff Slab Advantage
Pakistan's residential electricity tariff is progressive: the first 100 units cost Rs 8–12 each, but units above 700 cost Rs 45–55 each. When solar eliminates your top-slab consumption, every kWh your panels produce is displacing the most expensive grid electricity. A properly sized system eliminates the top slabs first, delivering Rs 35–55 of value per solar kWh — not the Rs 25–30 average rate most people assume.
Worked Example: 10kW On-Grid System
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| System cost (on-grid) | Rs 1,100,000 |
| Monthly generation | 1,200 kWh |
| Monthly bill before solar | Rs 38,000 |
| Monthly bill after solar (net metered) | Rs 0 – Rs 3,000 |
| Monthly saving | Rs 35,000 – Rs 38,000 |
| Annual saving | Rs 420,000 – Rs 456,000 |
| Payback period | 29 – 31 months (simple) / 14–17 months (slab-adjusted) |
| Year 5 cumulative saving | Rs 2,100,000 – Rs 2,280,000 |
| Year 10 cumulative saving | Rs 4,020,000 – Rs 4,380,000 |
| Year 25 total saving (after inverter replacement) | Rs 9,150,000 – Rs 10,200,000 |
Notice the difference between "simple payback" (29–31 months using average Rs/kWh) and "slab-adjusted payback" (14–17 months using actual top-slab rates). The slab-adjusted number is the real-world payback — and it is why solar in Pakistan pays back faster than almost any other country.
Solar vs Other Investments in Pakistan 2026
Rs 1,100,000 (the cost of a 10kW system) invested elsewhere in August 2026 returns:
| Investment | Annual Return | 10-Year Return | 25-Year Return | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Deposit (12%) | Rs 132,000 | Rs 1,320,000 | Rs 3,300,000 | Low (but inflation eats returns) |
| Property (avg 8% appreciation) | Rs 88,000 | Rs 880,000 (paper) | Rs 2,200,000 (paper) | Medium (illiquid, maintenance) |
| PSX Index Fund (~15%) | Rs 165,000 | Rs 1,650,000 | Rs 4,125,000 | High (volatile, not guaranteed) |
| 10kW Solar (on-grid) | Rs 420,000–504,000 | Rs 4,020,000–4,380,000 | Rs 9,150,000–10,200,000 | Very low (sun + your consumption) |
Solar returns 3× more than a bank deposit, 4× more than property, and 2.5× more than stock market — with the lowest risk of all four. The returns are locked in by two factors you control: the sun (which rises daily) and your electricity consumption (which you generate regardless). No other investment in Pakistan offers this combination of return and certainty.
Hidden Costs That Affect Your Real ROI
Solar sales pitches show the sunny-day numbers. Here are the costs they do not mention — and how to budget for them honestly.
1. Inverter Replacement (Year 10–15): Your inverter lasts 12–15 years. Budget Rs 90,000–260,000 for a replacement at year 12, depending on your brand and size. This is the largest maintenance cost over the system's lifetime. Our savings tables above already include this.
2. Panel Cleaning (Monthly): Dust reduces output by 5–15% in Punjab and Sindh. Monthly cleaning costs Rs 2,000–5,000 depending on system size and access difficulty. That is Rs 24,000–60,000 per year — factor it in. Some homeowners clean panels themselves to save this cost.
3. Net Metering Fees: DISCO charges Rs 5,000–15,000 for the net-metering application and bidirectional meter. This is a one-time cost. Enon Traders includes net-metering assistance in all turnkey packages.
4. Insurance (Optional): Comprehensive solar panel insurance costs Rs 8,000–15,000/year for a residential system. Most homeowners skip this — the panels are warrantied and structurally resilient. But if you are in a hail-prone or theft-prone area, it is worth considering.
5. What Is NOT a Hidden Cost: Panel replacement. Tier-1 panels last 25–30 years. You will not replace them during the system's useful life. Mounting structures, wiring, and earthing are also permanent — no replacement needed.
Why Commercial Systems Pay Back Faster
| Factor | Residential (5kW) | Commercial (20kW) |
|---|---|---|
| Tariff Rate | Rs 25–55/unit (slab-based) | Rs 35–48/unit (flat commercial) |
| Consumption-Solar Alignment | 50–60% (daytime) | 80–95% (daytime operations) |
| Per-Watt System Cost | ~Rs 130/W | ~Rs 95/W |
| GST Recovery | ❌ (not registered) | ✅ 18% input tax (Rs 342K on 20kW) |
| Simple Payback | 18–24 months | 12–18 months |
| 25-Year Return Multiple | 7–8× | 10–12× |
Commercial solar pays back faster for four reasons: higher tariff rates, better consumption-solar alignment (factories and shops use power during the exact hours panels produce), lower per-watt cost at scale, and GST recovery for registered businesses. If you run a commercial operation and have not installed solar yet, every month you delay costs you Rs 50,000–150,000 in savings you will never recover.
Running a business? Every month without solar costs you Rs 50K–150K in lost savings. Let us show you the exact numbers for your operation.
💬 Get Commercial ROIThe Cost of Waiting — Every Month Matters
The most common question we hear: "Should I wait for prices to drop?" Here is the maths that answers it.
A 10kW system saves approximately Rs 35,000–42,000 per month. Every month you delay, that is Rs 35,000–42,000 in savings lost forever — it does not get "banked" for later. Even if panel prices drop 10% next year (saving you Rs 110,000 on system cost), you would have lost Rs 420,000–504,000 in savings during those 12 months of waiting. Waiting one year to save Rs 110,000 costs you Rs 310,000–394,000 net.
Solar panel prices in Pakistan have already dropped 40% since 2024. The steepest part of the price decline has happened. Future drops will be marginal — 3–5% per year. Meanwhile, electricity tariffs are rising 15–20% annually. The gap between solar cost and grid cost is widening in solar's favour every month. The best time to install was last year. The second-best time is now.
Top ROI Systems — August 2026
🏠 5kW — Best Residential ROI
- Payback: 18–24 months
- 25-year return: Rs 5.1M – Rs 5.9M
- ROI: 685–810%
- Full 5kW guide →
🏢 10kW — Best Crossover ROI
- Payback: 14–20 months
- 25-year return: Rs 8.5M – Rs 10.5M
- ROI: 670–855%
- Full 10kW guide →
🏭 20kW — Best Commercial ROI
- Payback: 12–18 months
- 25-year return: Rs 20.5M – Rs 23.8M
- ROI: 980–1150%
- Full 20kW guide →
The Bottom Line
Solar is the highest-returning, lowest-risk investment available to Pakistani households and businesses in 2026. A properly sized, on-grid system with Tier-1 panels and a reliable inverter pays for itself in 12–24 months and returns 7–16× its cost over 25 years. Every month you wait costs you Rs 35,000–150,000 in savings you will never recover. Start the conversation — your future self will thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions — Solar Savings
A 5kW system saves Rs 21,000–24,000/month. A 10kW system saves Rs 35,000–42,000/month. A 20kW commercial system saves Rs 84,000–96,000/month. Actual savings depend on your tariff slab and net-metering status.
Residential systems pay back in 14–24 months. Commercial systems pay back in 12–20 months. The slab-adjusted payback (which accounts for top-tariff displacement) is always faster than simple division suggests. See the full payback table above.
Yes — more than any previous year. Panel prices have dropped 40% since 2024 while tariffs have increased 30%+. The ROI is 7–16× over 25 years depending on system size. No other investment available in Pakistan matches this return-to-risk ratio.
No. Every month you wait costs Rs 35,000–150,000 in lost savings. Even if panel prices drop 10% next year (saving ~Rs 110K on a 10kW system), you lose Rs 420K–504K in savings during those 12 months. Net loss: Rs 310K–394K. The maths overwhelmingly favours installing now.
A 10kW on-grid system costs Rs 1,100,000, saves Rs 420K–504K/year, pays back in 14–20 months, and generates Rs 8.5M–10.5M in net savings over 25 years. That is a 670–855% return on investment — or roughly 38% annually compounded.
Yes. Properties with installed solar systems sell for 3–5% more than comparable properties without. More importantly, buyers prioritise solar-equipped homes because they inherit zero or near-zero electricity bills. The system itself has residual value — Tier-1 panels still produce 85%+ output at year 15.
📋 Update Log
- 27 Aug 2026: Initial publish — all savings calculations verified against August 2026 tariffs and Enon Traders wholesale pricing.
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