Home Solar PV System: A No Brainer?

 

Few years ago, I heard that to install home solar panels, the minimum cost was well above RM20-30k, and the payback period was around 10 years.

I'm not sure how true was it as I didn't do further research.

Last year, I heard that the cost has dropped significantly to less than RM20k and it took less than 5 years to recoup the initial investment.

Now, it is almost "zero cost upfront" with instant return on investment. 

It's just like in property investment when the developer gives 10% discount, free stamp duties/legal fees & DIBS so you don't need to pay anything before the VP, and then you rent out the property immediately with positive cashflow for 10 years.

Can you believe it?

My Portfolio Mac25

Summary For March 2025

 

Portfolio @ End of Mac25

Stock market continues to be lackluster in the month of March in which KLCI fell heavily at 3.9%.

My portfolio suffered small loss of 0.3% in the month, bringing the YTD loss to 8.9%.

I guess almost every investor who holds stocks will make paper loss at this stage of the year.

Sentiment was really bad in early to mid March, so I took the opportunity to top up some shares.

However, it's still too early to tell whether my decision is right or wrong.

Who Can Be EPF Millionaires?

EPF or KWSP has just declared 6.3% dividend rate for 2024 for both conventional & shariah accounts, which is the highest since 6.9% in year 2017.

Even though the guaranteed minimum dividend rate is 2.5%, EPF always outperforms by a good margin.

In the last 14 years, 9 years saw its dividend at 6% or above.

It was reported that in FY24, EPF recorded investment income of RM74.46bil, up 11% from RM66.99bil in FY23.

Its total payout in FY24 is RM73.24bil (98.4%), compared to RM57.81bil (RM86.3%) in FY23.

Who Will Win The Trade War?

On 4th of March 2025, US has imposed 25% tariffs on import from Canada & Mexico, and at the same time increased tariffs on China import to 20% from 10% just imposed a month ago.

The stock market reacted negatively as there are lots of uncertainty.

Trump stressed that the tariffs will revive US manufacturing sector and create more jobs, and will not increase the cost of living of its citizens. Is it true?

Anyway, it's almost certain that those countries being imposed the tariffs will suffer, and they will retaliate with tariffs against the US.

In the end, who will win? Or may be there will be no winner?