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2025 Solar FAQs

Wondering if it’s worth it to go solar, or if you're ready? We'll answer all your top questions.

For ResidentialFor Commercial & Industrial

For Residential

1. What percentage of Myanmar’s energy mix comes from solar?

As of around 2023, solar made up approximately 1.65% of Myanmar’s total energy mix, despite the country’s high solar potential.
Wikipedia

2. How much solar energy could Myanmar potentially generate?

Myanmar has immense solar potential—estimated at over 51,973.8 TWh per year, thanks to an average of more than 5 sun hours per day.
Wikipedia

3. What solar power infrastructure currently exists?

The Minbu solar power plant, started in late 2018, has a capacity of 170 MW.

Two more solar plants, each planned for 150 MW, are in Myingyan and Wundwin in Mandalay Division.


4. What are the main challenges to expanding solar energy in Myanmar?

Weak renewable energy governance and a lack of clear regulations make development difficult.

Complicated investment environment discourages private and international investors.


5. How could solar benefit rural Myanmar?

Many rural areas still lack reliable grid access. Solar systems—especially solar home systems—offer off-grid solutions. For example, a small but impactful initiative trained rural women as “solar engineers” to install and maintain systems in their villages.

6. Is solar growth continuing amid political and infrastructure issues?

Yes—solar energy is still growing, even under ongoing junta restrictions. However, progress remains constrained by regulatory and political barriers.

7. What national targets exist for renewables and electrification?

The government had aimed to achieve 100% electrification by 2030 and increase renewable energy’s share to 12% by 2025.
Wikipedia

8. Why is solar especially important in Myanmar today?

Myanmar faces severe power shortages and frequent outages. From anecdotal reports:

Residents struggle with only 4–8 hours of electricity per day, making solar setups a critical solution.

9. Are solar solutions affordable for households?

Costs vary. Some reported installations cost around 50,000,000 kyats, though recent setups might exceed 80,000,000 kyats.
Reddit

For smaller inverters (~2 kWh with a battery lasting 5 hours), a cost of around 80 lakhs kyats was noted.

For Commercial & Industrial

1. What are the benefits and challenges for industrial/commercial adopters?

Benefits:

  • Lower energy costs and reduced reliance on rising grid prices and fuel (notably diesel generators).

  • Long-term stability and cleaner operations, especially under 25-year PPA arrangements.

  • Positive socio-environmental impact—supporting sustainability and corporate responsibility goals.

Challenges:

  • High initial investment costs—a barrier especially for smaller firms.

  • Absence of net metering or rooftop-specific regulations limits flexibility

  • Complex PPA negotiations and subsidy-driven tariff structures hinder project viability

  • Grid reliability issues—Myanmar's generation capacity has dropped sharply; for instance, on January 6, 2025, peak generation was only 1,700 MW, down from 6,034 MW in 2020

 2. Are there off-grid or hybrid solar applications suitable for industry?

Yes. Pro Engineering also offers diesel abatement solar systems—small-scale, behind-the-meter setups that reduce dependence on generators

This hybrid model is particularly useful for facilities in remote or unreliable grid areas, offering both resilience and cost savings.