Solar Tariff Rates in Sri Lanka 2026: What Homeowners Need to Know

If you have thought about putting solar panels on your roof, you have probably noticed one thing: the rates keep moving. Solar tariff rates in Sri Lanka climbed to a high in 2022, were cut back over the following years, and have now been revised again. For a homeowner trying to decide whether solar is worth it, all that movement can be confusing.

The good news is that the picture has become clearer. This guide breaks down where solar tariff rates stand today, how they compare to the last revision, and what it all means if you are planning a system for your home. You can also explore ready options in the solar section on Ideal Home as you weigh your decision.

What Is a Solar Feed-in Tariff?

A feed-in tariff is simply the rate the utility pays you for each unit of electricity your panels send back to the grid. When your system produces more power than your home uses, that surplus is exported, and you earn a set price per unit for it.

The rate depends on the size of your system and the scheme you sign up under. Importantly, once you sign your agreement, that rate is locked in for the term of the contract. The rooftop solar schemes managed by regulators — such as net accounting and net plus set out exactly how prosumers are paid for what they export.

The Latest Solar Tariff Rates (as of August 2026)

The most recent revision took effect on 25 August 2026. For homeowners, the bands that matter most are the smaller systems, and these are the current rates for new rooftop solar:

Current rooftop solar rates by system size, from August 2026.

Most homes fall comfortably within these bands, so the higher end of the scale is what applies to a typical household. According to PUCSL’s August 2026 revision on rooftop solar feed-in tariffs, the new rooftop solar tariffs range from about LKR 15.81 to LKR 23.11 per unit depending on system capacity, with the revised rates remaining valid through February 2027.

Remember that these rates are fixed for the length of your agreement once signed. That stability is a big part of what makes solar a long-term investment rather than a gamble on future prices.

How Much Can a Home Solar System Earn Per Month?

A typical 10kW rooftop solar system can generate around 1,200 kWh of electricity per month, although actual generation varies depending on the system size, sunlight, weather, and other factors. At the current feed-in tariff of Rs. 23.11 per kWh for systems up to 10 kW, generating 1,200 kWh could translate into approximately Rs. 27,732 per month if the full amount is exported to the grid. That is around Rs. 332,784 per year.

This gives homeowners a simple way to understand the potential financial benefit of solar. However, the actual amount earned will depend on how much electricity is used within the home and how much surplus electricity is exported to the grid. In practice, homeowners can benefit both by reducing their electricity bill through their own solar generation and earning income from surplus electricity exported to the grid.

How Did We Get Here? A Quick Look at the Rate Journey

Solar rates have taken a noticeable path over the last few years. Before late 2022, the rate sat at around LKR 22 per unit. It then jumped to a peak, the well-documented rate of LKR 37 per unit set in 2022 for smaller systems, with larger systems around LKR 34.50.

From there, the direction reversed. Rates were trimmed in mid-2024, and the June 2025 revision brought the smallest band down to roughly LKR 19.61 per unit. That was the low point for home-sized systems.

The August 2026 revision has nudged rates back up. At LKR 23.11 for systems up to 10 kW, the current rate is higher than the last revision, which offered a modest but welcome improvement for homeowners considering solar now.

Home solar feed-in tariff journey from 2022 to 2026.

Is Now a Good Time to Go Solar?

Are today’s rates better than last year’s?

Yes. The current rate for a small home system is more competitive than the June 2025 revision. While rates are still below the 2022 peak, that peak was tied to unusual economic conditions and was always unlikely to last. What matters for a homeowner today is that rates have recovered from their recent low.

Do rates change after I install?

No, and this is the key point. Once your agreement is signed, your rate is fixed for the full contract period. Future revisions apply to new applicants, not to systems already under contract. That means the rate available when you sign is the rate you keep, which is why timing your decision well can make a real difference.

What This Means for Your Home

For a typical household, solar delivers value in two ways. First, you reduce what you draw from the grid, which lowers your monthly bill. Second, any surplus you export earns you the feed-in tariff, turning your roof into a small source of income.

With rates now more competitive than the last revision and locked in once you sign, the case for a home system is stronger than it was a year ago. Larger commercial-scale systems follow different bands and considerations, but for most homeowners the sub-250 kW range covers everything they need.

Final Thoughts

Solar tariff rates in Sri Lanka have settled into a clearer place in 2026. After the 2022 high and the cuts that followed, the latest revision has brought rates back up to a more attractive level for home systems, and whatever rate you sign at stays fixed for your contract.

If you have been waiting for the right moment, now is a sensible time to run the numbers for your own roof. Browse solar systems and get started in the solar section on Ideal Home, and find a deal that fits your home and budget.