Solar Panel Installation Guide — Korea Payback Period, Regional Insolation & Subsidies (2026)
1. What Is Residential Solar Power?
Residential solar (distributed generation) involves installing photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof of a home or building to generate electricity independently or grid-connected. The generated power reduces your electricity bill, and surplus power can be sold back to KEPCO (Korea Electric Power Corporation) or stored in an ESS (Energy Storage System).
2. Payback Period Formula
① Annual Generation (kWh)
= Capacity (kW) × Peak Sun Hours (h/day) × 365 × Efficiency (0.8)
= Capacity (kW) × Peak Sun Hours (h/day) × 365 × Efficiency (0.8)
② Annual Savings (KRW)
= Annual Generation (kWh) × Electricity Rate (KRW/kWh)
= Annual Generation (kWh) × Electricity Rate (KRW/kWh)
③ Payback Period (years)
= Net Investment (KRW) ÷ Annual Savings (KRW/year)
= Net Investment (KRW) ÷ Annual Savings (KRW/year)
3. Peak Sun Hours by Region
서울3.6h/day
부산3.8h/day
대구3.9h/day
인천3.5h/day
광주3.7h/day
대전3.6h/day
울산3.9h/day
세종3.6h/day
경기3.5h/day
강원3.4h/day
충북3.6h/day
충남3.7h/day
전북3.8h/day
전남4h/day
경북3.9h/day
경남3.8h/day
제주4.2h/day
4. Government Subsidies (2026)
Korea Energy Agency (KNREC) supports 10–50% of installation costs through the Renewable Energy Dissemination Program. The subsidy is handled by registered installers on your behalf.
Visit knrec.or.kr for regional availability and registered installer lookup.