Solar Power Savings that are not normally mentioned

[DDbkh]

I think many people are put off investing in Solar power because of the 'pay back period' ie how long it takes the savings gained by using solar to equal the cost of the investment (+ maintenance). There are two things that may not be known to would be investors that you should take into account:

1) The TOU (time of use) Meter available on request from the PEA - about THB8k to install. This meter charges you based on usage from 9am to 10pm at THB5.80 per unit, and THB2.50 per unit from 10pm until 9am - THB2.50 for all Saturday and Sunday (not sure about National Holidays. If your Solar provides sufficient power from 9am to 5pm, you only need battery power to support from 5pm until 10pm. Obviously this is weather dependant. (Note the Satang I quote may be not be accurate!)

2) If you pay tax in Thailand, personal or corporate, you can take a tax deduction for depreciation on any energy saving devices based on 5 years at 125% - ie if you pay 400k for your solar you value it at 500k for tax purposes, which gives you a tax deduction of THB100k pa for 5 years.  

 

These two benefits combined with the energy savings can reduce the "payback " period to less than 2.5 years 

[UWEB]

Interesting, from where you have got this Information from?

[Tropicalevo]

My payback on 13 panels, no batteries, was less than 2.5 years BUT......

 

I live on a private development. Electricity is 8 baht/unit plus VAT plus FT.

I only use a/c in March and April - sometimes.

Fans on 24/7.

Windows/doors open all day and most of the night - even when I am away.

Pool timer is on daytime only.

I switch the beer fridge off at night (heavy electricity user) and when it is switched back on in the morning I am already on solar.