Solar Panel Installation Process in Singapore

Solar Panel Installation Process in Singapore: From SP Approval to Commissioning

If you’re staying in Singapore and thinking of installing a solar panel system on your landed house, factory, warehouse, or commercial building, the process can look a bit “chim” (complicated) at first – especially when you see words like EMA, SP Group, LEW, and bi-directional meter.

This guide walks you through the complete solar panel installation process in Singapore, from the first site visit all the way to SP’s commissioning and your first lower electricity bill. It’s written in a Singapore context and is suitable for both homeowners and business owners.

Why Solar Panels Make Sense in Singapore

Strong sunshine, small island, high electricity rates

Singapore doesn’t have wind or hydro, but we have something very stable – strong, year-round sunshine. That’s why the Energy Market Authority (EMA) sees solar as our most viable renewable energy source, and has been actively pushing for more solar deployment across rooftops and industrial sites.

At the same time, electricity tariffs in Singapore are not low, and many consumers are on SP Group or other electricity retailers. A properly designed grid-tied solar PV system in Singapore helps to:

1. Offset your daytime consumption
2. Reduce your electricity bill in S$
3. Export excess solar energy back to the grid, depending on your metering and retail plan

Grid-tied solar PV with SP Group

Most systems here are grid-connected. That means:

1. Your Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW) submits an application to SP Group to connect your solar PV system.
2. SP installs a bi-directional meter that measures both energy imported from and exported to the grid.

You still remain connected to the national grid at all times; solar just helps to reduce the amount of energy you buy each month.

Key Players in the Singapore Solar Installation Journey

Property owner

This is you – the homeowner, landlord, MCST or business owner. You decide to invest in solar, choose a solar installer, and sign off on the proposal and contracts.

Solar installer / EPC (e.g. 3TEL Solar & Energy)

Your solar installer (often called EPC – Engineering, Procurement, Construction) designs, supplies, and installs your solar panel system in Singapore, and coordinates everything with SP Group through their appointed LEW.

3TEL Solar, for example, provides end-to-end solar energy solutions in Singapore for both homes and businesses, from design and approvals to installation and after-sales support.

Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW)

Under Singapore law, all electrical work – including solar PV systems – must be carried out or supervised by a Licensed Electrical Worker. The LEW is the one who:

1. Designs or endorses the electrical SLD
2. Submits the SP connection application
3. Conducts testing and commissioning
4. Signs off the completion documents for SP Group

Authorities – EMA, SP Group, URA & BCA

1. EMA – issues the regulatory framework and consumer guides for solar installation.
2. SP Group (SP Power Grid/SP Services) – handles the connection application, metering and turn-on appointments.
3. URA/BCA – planning and building control; relevant for structural loading and rooftop use, especially for commercial/industrial projects.

Your installer and LEW will usually help you navigate this.

Step 1 – Assessing if Your Property is Suitable for Solar

Before you jump into forms and SP approvals, your solar installer will first check whether your roof is suitable. For landed homeowners, a typical home solar panel installation in Singapore starts with a proper roof assessment, SP approval, and professional installation by a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW). You can explore our recent residential solar projects in Singapore to see actual system sizes, roof types and savings for landed properties. For factories, warehouses and commercial buildings, our commercial solar solutions in Singapore are designed to reduce daytime electricity costs and support ESG goals. We have completed several commercial solar projects in Singapore, including rooftop systems for industrial and commercial facilities. Overall, 3TEL provides end-to-end solar energy solutions in Singapore, from SP application and system design to installation and after-sales monitoring.

Roof type and building category

In Singapore, the approach is slightly different depending on property type:

1. Landed houses – terrace, semi-D, bungalows
2. Commercial/industrial buildings – warehouses, factories, offices
3. Condominiums and mixed-use buildings – often require MCST approval

Key considerations:

1. Roof type: metal, clay tile, concrete, flat roof with waterproofing
2. Roof pitch and orientation (north/south/east/west)
3. Available area without heavy shading from neighbouring buildings, trees or structures

Structural loading & waterproofing

For larger systems and commercial roofs, a Professional Engineer (PE) may be engaged to confirm that the structure can handle the additional loading from the solar panels and mounting systems, following BCA guidelines on rooftop PV installations.

Installers also pay close attention to waterproofing details, especially for flat roofs and metal decks. In Singapore’s tropical climate, roof leaks can be a bigger headache than your electricity bill, so a good EPC will integrate roof waterproofing and solar mounting properly.

Analysing your electricity usage

To size your solar PV system in Singapore, the installer will normally look at your last 6–12 months of SP bills:

1. What is your average monthly kWh consumption?
2. Is most of your usage during daytime (ideal for solar)?
3. For businesses, what is your monthly maximum demand?

From there, they can estimate:

1. Recommended kWp size
2. Expected self-consumption vs export
3. Approximate payback period and ROI based on local tariffs and solar yield.

Step 2 – Site Visit, Proposal & ROI Calculation

Once you show interest, your solar company in Singapore will usually arrange a site visit.

What happens during the site visit?

1. Inspect the main switchboard and DB
2. Confirm cable routing paths and inverter location
3. Check roof access and safety (for landed homes and factories)
4. Take measurements and photos for layout planning

Using satellite imagery, on-site measurements and local solar irradiance data, they’ll produce:

1. A proposed panel layout
2. System size in kWp
3. Estimated annual energy generation
4. Savings estimate in S$ and approximate payback period

Preparing a clear proposal for Singapore customers

A professional proposal for solar panel installation in Singapore should clearly state:

1. System size (e.g. 10 kWp for a landed property, 200 kWp for a factory)
2. Equipment brands and warranties (panels, inverters, mounting)
3. Scope of work – design, SP application, installation, testing & commissioning
4. Exclusions – roof repairs not related to solar, major structural changes
5. Project timeline – from SP application to commissioning
6. Payment terms (e.g. 30/60/10 milestone payments)

For commercial and industrial clients, proposals may also include Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) or other solar payment schemes available in Singapore.

Step 3 – System Design & Compliance with Local Standards

After you sign the proposal, your installer and LEW move into detailed design.

Electrical design and SLD

The LEW prepares or endorses the single line diagram (SLD) and ensures the installation complies with:

1. Electricity Act and Electricity (Electrical Installations) Regulations
2. Singapore Standard CP5 – Code of Practice for Electrical Installations

Key items in the design:

1. Number and configuration of solar panels (strings in series, parallel)
2. Inverter selection (string inverters vs central inverters)
3. Cable sizing, protective devices (MCCBs, MCBs, fuses)
4. DC & AC isolators, earthing and lightning protection
5. Point of connection to SP’s grid

Structural and rooftop design

The rooftop design will consider:

1. Panel mounting method (rail-based, direct fix, ballast)
2. Wind uplift and loading, especially on high-rise or tall buildings
3. Integration with existing waterproofing systems so that roof warranties are not voided

Safety and maintenance access

In Singapore, there is strong emphasis on safety. Designs must provide:

1. Safe access paths for maintenance
2. Proper labelling and warning signs
3. Isolation and lock-out points for emergency shutdown

All these will be reflected in the final drawings submitted to SP Group.

Step 4 – SP Group Application & Approvals

This is the part many owners worry about, but don’t worry – your LEW and installer handle almost everything.

LEW submits the SP connection application

According to EMA’s solar installation guide, the LEW is responsible for applying to SP Group for the connection of the solar PV system.

The application usually includes:

1. Completed SP application form (online submission)
2. Electrical SLD and rooftop layout
3. Equipment datasheets (panels, inverters, protection devices)
4. Proposed capacity and connection point

SP’s technical assessment and letters

SP Group checks that the proposed solar PV system meets their technical and safety requirements, including grid protection and export limits. Their process documents show that:

1. SP issues an acknowledgement letter after receiving the application (often referred to as PV0 in technical guides).
2. Once technical requirements are met, SP informs the LEW that the design complies (PV1 stage).

If your system is large (e.g. for big factories), additional agreements or export caps may apply, but your installer will explain this clearly.

Step 5 – On-Site Solar Panel Installation

With SP’s preliminary approval in place, physical installation can begin.

Typical installation timeline in Singapore

For landed residential solar installation in Singapore, actual rooftop work is usually:

1. 2–5 days for smaller systems (e.g. 6–15 kWp)
2. Slightly longer if there are multiple roofs or tricky access

For commercial and industrial solar projects, installation can stretch across weeks due to:

1. Larger roof areas
2. More complex cable routing
3. Coordination with factory operations and safety rules

What happens during installation?

1. Mounting structure installation
2. Brackets and rails are fixed to the roof, with care taken to maintain waterproofing.
3. Panel installation
4. Solar panels are mounted and wired in strings.
5. Inverter & AC works
6. Inverters are installed (usually near the main switchboard or in a plant room).
7. AC cables run to the main distribution board or dedicated PV board.
8. Earthing and protection
9. DC and AC isolators, surge protection, and earthing are completed.

Throughout, the installer will follow local workplace safety practices (e.g. working at height, hot weather conditions) to comply with MOM requirements.

Step 6 – Testing, Inspection & SP Commissioning

Once installation is complete, the system must be properly tested and commissioned before SP turns it on.

LEW testing and internal commissioning

The LEW will:

1. Perform insulation resistance and continuity tests
2. Check polarity, string voltages and inverter operation
3. Confirm protection settings and labelling
4. Ensure the system complies with the CP5 Code of Practice and EMA requirements

After everything is verified, the LEW issues completion documents and informs SP that the system is ready.

SP site visit and bi-directional meter installation

SP Group then arranges a turn-on appointment. Their process guides indicate that:

1. SP will send a team to your site
2. They will replace your existing meter with a bi-directional meter
3. This meter records:
4. Energy you import from the grid
5. Energy your solar panels export back to the grid

For typical residential systems, the commissioning and meter change often happen within a few weeks after the LEW submits all documents, although it can take longer during peak periods.

Once SP has turned on the system and updated their records, your solar PV system is officially commissioned in Singapore.

Step 7 – After Commissioning: Monitoring, Billing & Maintenance

Monitoring your solar PV system

Most modern inverters come with online monitoring portals or mobile apps. These let you track:

1. Instant solar generation (kW)
2. Daily and monthly energy yield (kWh)
3. Alerts for faults or downtime

Your installer may also offer O&M (operations and maintenance) services to regularly inspect and clean the system.

How billing works after solar is switched on

Once SP has installed the bi-directional meter and the system is running, your monthly bill will reflect:

1. Energy imported from the grid (as usual)
2. Energy exported to the grid, depending on your retailer or SP scheme

EMA’s consumer information explains the different ways consumers can be compensated for exported solar energy, including direct arrangement with retailers or schemes for larger generators.

Your installer should clarify which arrangement your property is using and how it shows up on your bill.

Maintenance in Singapore’s climate

In Singapore’s hot and humid conditions:

1. Light dust and rain do not usually affect the system too much
2. A basic inspection and cleaning every 6–12 months is often enough for residential systems
3. Commercial/industrial systems may require more structured preventive maintenance and periodic thermographic checks

Good maintenance helps maintain your solar panel efficiency in Singapore and protects your investment.

Typical Timeline – From First Enquiry to Commissioning

Exact timelines vary, but as a guideline for Singapore:

1. Residential landed home (e.g. 8–15 kWp system)
2. Initial discussion & site visit: 1–2 weeks
3. Design & SP application: 1–3 weeks
4. Installation: 1–3 days
5. SP meter change & commissioning: ~2–4 weeks after LEW completion (can be longer in peak periods)

Overall, you’re looking at roughly 4–8 weeks from first enquiry to SP-commissioned solar for a typical landed house, assuming no major structural issues.

1. Commercial / industrial roof (100 kWp and above)
2. More complex – can range from 3–6 months, including structural assessments, internal approvals, SP and sometimes landlord or corporate approvals.

If you’re planning a home or commercial solar panel installation in Singapore, 3TEL Solar & Energy can handle everything from SP application and system design to installation and commissioning. Get a free site assessment or WhatsApp us to discuss your roof.

Frequently Asked Questions about SP Approval & Commissioning

Do I need to deal with SP Group directly?

For most homeowners and many businesses, no. Your installer’s LEW will handle the SP solar application and coordinate emails and documents. You’ll simply be kept informed and may need to provide certain property details.

Is it compulsory to register my solar system with EMA or the market?

For typical residential and SME systems below 1 MWac, you follow the standard SP connection process; registration as a market participant is generally more relevant for larger generators. SP and EMA guides explain when registration is required (usually ≥1 MWac or if you want to actively participate in the wholesale market).

What happens if my roof is leaking or very old?

Your installer may recommend roof repairs or waterproofing works before installing solar. In some cases, it makes sense to combine roof waterproofing and solar installation in one project to minimise disruption.

Can I add an EV charger together with solar?

Yes, many owners now combine home EV chargers with home solar panels in Singapore, especially for landed properties. The LEW will ensure your main incoming supply and electrical installation can handle both.