☀️ Peak sun hours in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is extremely sunny — roughly 6 to 6.5+ peak sun hours across most of the country, among the highest anywhere.
| Region | Approx. peak sun hours (annual avg) |
|---|---|
| Central & northern desert (Riyadh, Sakaka) | ~6.2 – 6.7 |
| Eastern Province | ~6.0 – 6.4 |
| Western highlands (near Makkah/Madinah) | ~5.8 – 6.3 |
| Asir & the south-west highlands | ~5.5 – 6.0 |
Use your local figure in the solar panel calculator and the energy production calculator. Background: peak sun hours by location.
⚡ Electricity prices in Saudi Arabia
Residential electricity is subsidised and low — roughly SAR 0.18 per kWh for the first 6,000 kWh a month and about SAR 0.30 above that. Cheap power is good for your bill, but it means each solar kWh you self-generate saves less than in high-tariff countries, lengthening payback.
💸 Incentives & net metering
The Saudi Electricity Company operates a small-scale solar PV net-metering scheme that lets homes and businesses connect rooftop systems and offset consumption. Nationally, Vision 2030 and projects like Sakaka and NEOM are driving huge utility-scale solar growth. Confirm the current residential net-metering terms and any size caps with SEC.
💰 System cost & payback in Saudi Arabia
System hardware costs are moderate, but because electricity is cheap the payback is longer than in Jordan or Australia:
| System size | Approx. cost | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | ~SAR 18,000 – 30,000 | Typical villa, daytime use |
| 10 kW | ~SAR 35,000 – 55,000 | Large villa / high AC load |
| 15 kW | ~SAR 50,000 – 80,000 | Very large home / small business |
Work out your own numbers with the ROI calculator and the bill savings calculator, or design the whole system with the system report builder.
💡 Local insight: Saudi Arabia
The honest picture: Saudi Arabia has world-class sun but among the cheapest residential electricity in the region, so pure financial payback is slower — often around 8–12 years. Solar makes the most sense here for high-consumption villas (big AC loads that push you past the 6,000 kWh subsidised band) and for anyone wanting energy independence as tariffs gradually reform.
🧰 Solar tools
Plan your system with these:
- Solar panel calculator — how many panels for your usage and sun hours.
- Solar bill savings calculator — how much you'll save.
- ROI calculator — payback period.
- Battery calculator — if you want backup.
- Full system report — design the whole system in one page.
Related reading: solar panels in hot climates, how many panels to run a house, and grid-tied vs off-grid vs hybrid.
❓ Frequently asked questions
How many peak sun hours does Saudi Arabia get?
Around 6 to 6.5+, among the highest in the world, with the central and northern desert (Riyadh, Sakaka) at the top of the range.
Is solar worth it in Saudi Arabia?
The sun is superb, but because residential electricity is heavily subsidised and cheap, payback is slower (roughly 8–12 years). It makes the most sense for high-consumption villas and for energy independence.
Does Saudi Arabia have net metering?
Yes — the Saudi Electricity Company runs a small-scale solar PV net-metering scheme for homes and businesses. Confirm current terms and size caps with SEC.
How much does solar cost in Saudi Arabia?
Roughly SAR 18,000–30,000 for a 5 kW villa system, scaling up for larger homes. Get local quotes.
Note: Saudi electricity tariffs, SEC net-metering rules and prices change over time. These figures are approximate, for planning only — verify with SEC and a local installer.