Your CEB bill keeps climbing. Every year, electricity rates in Mauritius inch higher, and your monthly payment grows heavier. You've heard solar panels can slash your costs, but exactly how much will you actually save?
Let's break down the real numbers, calculate potential savings for different household types, and help you understand what solar can do for your wallet in Mauritius.
Understanding Your Current CEB Bill
Before calculating solar savings, you need to understand how CEB charges you. Mauritius uses a tiered pricing structure where the more electricity you consume, the higher rate you pay per unit.
Current CEB residential rates (Tariff 110, 120 & 140):
- First 25 kWh: Rs 3.16 per kWh
- Next 25 kWh (26-50): Rs 4.38 per kWh
- Next 25 kWh (51-75): Rs 4.74 per kWh
- Next 25 kWh (76-100): Rs 5.45 per kWh
- Next 100 kWh (101-200): Rs 6.15 per kWh
- Next 50 kWh (201-250): Rs 7.02 per kWh
- Above 250 kWh: Rs 7.90 per kWh
Plus standing charges and other fees that add roughly 10-15% to your total bill.
This tiered system means heavy users get hit hardest. A household consuming 300 kWh monthly pays significantly more per unit than one using 100 kWh.
Average Household Consumption in Mauritius
Mauritian households typically fall into these categories:
Small household (apartment, 2 people): 150-200 kWh per month
Average household (house, 3-4 people): 250-350 kWh per month
Large household (air conditioning, pool, 4+ people): 400-600 kWh per month
Your consumption depends on appliances, air conditioning usage, water heating method, and household size. Check your last three CEB bills to find your average monthly consumption.
How Solar Panels Reduce Your CEB Bill
Solar panels generate electricity during daylight hours. This electricity either:
- Powers your home directly (self-consumption) - reducing what you buy from CEB
- Gets injected back into the grid - earning you credits through net metering
The CEB net metering scheme allows you to bank excess solar production. Units you inject during sunny days offset units you consume at night or on cloudy days.
Net metering rate: You receive credits at the same rate you pay for electricity. If you're paying Rs 6.15 per kWh for your consumption tier, your injected solar units earn Rs 6.15 in credits.
This makes solar incredibly valuable for high-consumption households in upper pricing tiers.
Real Savings Calculations: Case Studies
Let's examine actual savings for different household types with typical solar installations.
Case 1: Small Apartment - 180 kWh Monthly Consumption
Current monthly CEB bill: Approximately Rs 1,050-1,150
Solar system size: 2 kW (6-8 panels)
Monthly solar production: 240-280 kWh
Self-consumption rate: 65%
Grid injection: 35%
Monthly savings breakdown:
- Direct consumption offset: 156-182 kWh
- Grid injection credits: 84-98 kWh
- Total CEB bill reduction: 70-80%
- New monthly bill: Rs 200-350
- Monthly savings: Rs 700-950
- Annual savings: Rs 8,400-11,400
Case 2: Average Family Home - 300 kWh Monthly Consumption
Current monthly CEB bill: Approximately Rs 2,050-2,250
Solar system size: 3.5 kW (10-12 panels)
Monthly solar production: 420-490 kWh
Self-consumption rate: 55%
Grid injection: 45%
Monthly savings breakdown:
- Direct consumption offset: 231-270 kWh
- Grid injection credits: 189-220 kWh (covers remaining consumption)
- Total CEB bill reduction: 85-95%
- New monthly bill: Rs 200-350
- Monthly savings: Rs 1,700-2,050
- Annual savings: Rs 20,400-24,600
Case 3: Large Home with AC - 500 kWh Monthly Consumption
Current monthly CEB bill: Approximately Rs 3,600-4,100
Solar system size: 5 kW (15-18 panels)
Monthly solar production: 600-700 kWh
Self-consumption rate: 50%
Grid injection: 50%
Monthly savings breakdown:
- Direct consumption offset: 300-350 kWh
- Grid injection credits: 300-350 kWh (covers remaining consumption)
- Total CEB bill reduction: 90-100%
- New monthly bill: Rs 0-400
- Monthly savings: Rs 3,200-4,100
- Annual savings: Rs 38,400-49,200
Factors That Affect Your Solar Savings
Not all installations save equally. Several factors determine your actual savings:
Roof Orientation and Shading
North-facing roofs in Mauritius capture maximum sunlight. East and west orientations reduce production by 15-20%. Shading from trees or neighboring buildings can cut output by 30-50% or more.
Your Consumption Pattern
Households that use electricity mainly during daytime (remote workers, retirees, stay-at-home parents) benefit more from solar through higher self-consumption. Evening-heavy users rely more on grid injection credits.
System Quality and Maintenance
Premium panels with higher efficiency produce more electricity per square meter. Well-maintained systems sustain peak performance for decades. Dirty or damaged panels lose 15-25% efficiency.
Geographic Location
Coastal areas receive more sunlight but deal with salt corrosion. Central plateau regions have slightly less sun but cooler temperatures that boost panel efficiency. Overall, Mauritius receives excellent solar radiation year-round.
Future CEB Rate Increases
CEB rates historically increase 3-5% annually. Your solar savings grow automatically as electricity becomes more expensive, while your solar production cost remains fixed.
Monthly Savings vs Purchase Cost: The Math
Solar systems in Mauritius typically cost:
- 2 kW system: Rs 150,000-200,000
- 3.5 kW system: Rs 250,000-350,000
- 5 kW system: Rs 400,000-500,000
Payback period calculation:
Small system (2 kW): Rs 175,000 ÷ Rs 10,000 annual savings = 17-18 years
Average system (3.5 kW): Rs 300,000 ÷ Rs 22,000 annual savings = 13-14 years
Large system (5 kW): Rs 450,000 ÷ Rs 44,000 annual savings = 10-11 years
After payback, you enjoy free electricity for another 10-20 years of panel life. Total lifetime savings range from Rs 200,000 to over Rs 800,000 depending on system size.
The Rental Alternative: Save Without Upfront Investment
Buying solar requires significant capital and waiting over a decade to break even. Solar rental changes this equation entirely.
With Solar Rent's model:
- Zero upfront investment
- Fixed monthly rental fee (typically 40-50% less than current CEB bill)
- Immediate savings from month one
- All maintenance, insurance, and repairs included
- No depreciation or replacement worries
Example savings with rental:
Average household currently paying Rs 2,100 monthly to CEB:
- Solar rental fee: Rs 900-1,100 per month
- Immediate monthly savings: Rs 1,000-1,200
- No Rs 300,000 upfront cost
- No maintenance expenses
Over 10 years, you save Rs 120,000-144,000 in electricity costs without touching your capital. The system is maintained professionally, and you face zero risk if anything goes wrong.
Hidden Savings Beyond the CEB Bill
Solar panels deliver value beyond obvious electricity savings:
Property value increase: Homes with solar sell 10-15% higher in Mauritius. Buyers value lower operating costs.
Protection against rate hikes: Lock in your energy costs while neighbors face escalating CEB bills.
Environmental impact: Reduce your carbon footprint by 2-4 tons of CO2 annually, contributing to Mauritius' sustainability goals.
Energy independence: Less vulnerability to grid outages and future energy policy changes.
Tax benefits: Some solar investments qualify for tax deductions or accelerated depreciation for businesses.
What Eats Into Your Savings?
Be realistic about factors that reduce projected savings:
System degradation: Panels lose roughly 0.5% efficiency per year. After 20 years, expect 90% of original output.
Inverter replacement: Inverters last 10-15 years and cost Rs 30,000-60,000 to replace (not applicable with rental contracts).
Cleaning and maintenance: Professional cleaning costs Rs 2,000-5,000 annually unless included in your agreement.
Underperformance: Real-world production often runs 10-15% below ideal projections due to weather, dust, and other factors.
Maximizing Your Solar Savings
Get the most from your investment with these strategies:
Size your system correctly: Don't oversize. A system producing 120% of your needs wastes money. Target 100-110% of annual consumption.
Shift consumption to daytime: Run washing machines, dishwashers, and pool pumps during peak solar hours to maximize self-consumption.
Monitor regularly: Track production daily via app. Drops in output signal maintenance needs before they become expensive problems.
Combine with efficiency: LED lighting, efficient appliances, and better insulation multiply your solar savings.
Choose quality equipment: Cheap panels save money initially but lose more through degradation and failures. Premium components pay for themselves.
Commercial and Business Savings
Businesses in Mauritius see even stronger returns than residential installations:
Commercial CEB rates: Businesses pay higher per-unit rates, making solar savings more dramatic.
Daytime consumption match: Most businesses operate during peak solar hours, achieving 70-90% self-consumption.
Tax advantages: Accelerated depreciation and business expense deductions improve ROI.
Shorter payback: Commercial systems often pay for themselves in 7-10 years versus 10-18 years residential.
A small shop consuming 800 kWh monthly (Rs 6,000-6,500 bill) can save Rs 60,000-70,000 annually with a 6 kW solar system.
What if Your Roof Isn't Ideal?
Not everyone has perfect north-facing, unshaded roof space. Options exist:
Ground mounting: If you have yard space, ground-mounted systems can be optimally angled regardless of house orientation.
Split installations: Place panels on multiple roof sections to maximize available space.
Carport structures: Turn your parking area into a solar generator while protecting vehicles.
Community solar: Some developments offer shared solar installations where multiple homes benefit from a single large system.
Even sub-optimal installations in Mauritius typically save 60-70% versus doing nothing.
The Bottom Line: How Much Will YOU Save?
Your personal savings depend on these key factors:
- Current monthly consumption (check last 3 CEB bills)
- Average monthly bill amount (higher bills = bigger savings)
- Available roof space and orientation
- Your consumption pattern (day vs night usage)
- Whether you buy or rent the system
Quick estimation formula:
Expected annual savings = (Monthly CEB bill × 12) × 0.75
This conservative estimate assumes 75% bill reduction, accounting for all real-world factors. Actual savings may be higher.
Taking the Next Step
Armed with realistic savings expectations, you can make an informed decision:
If you want to buy: Get quotes from 3-4 reputable installers, verify warranty terms, and confirm net metering registration is included.
If you prefer renting: Compare total 10-year costs versus your projected CEB expenses. Factor in zero maintenance hassle and included insurance.
If you're unsure: Request a technical study that models your specific roof, consumption pattern, and shading conditions. Most companies provide this free or for a small fee.
Solar energy in Mauritius isn't just environmentally responsible, it's financially smart. With abundant sunshine, rising CEB rates, and favorable net metering policies, most households save thousands of rupees annually while increasing property value and energy independence.
The question isn't whether solar saves money in Mauritius. It's how much you're willing to save, and whether you want to pay upfront or spread the benefit over time through rental.
Ready to see your exact savings potential? Request a personalized technical study to get precise numbers for your property and consumption pattern.