Solar Energy
The electric shower is among the appliances that weigh most on Brazilian families’ electricity bills. Given the increase in energy tariffs, many consumers have started to consider installing a solar energy system to offset this consumption.
According to the Distributed Generation Study 2025, prepared by Greener and republished by Olhar Digital on July 26, 2026, a residential on-grid system of 2 kWp costs, on average, R$ 7,240, an amount sufficient to start significant savings on the energy bill.
Although many people search for solar showers, the system analyzed in this article uses photovoltaic energy to generate electricity and produce credits with the distributor. This solution can reduce between R$ 130 and R$ 180 per month on the energy bill and recover the investment in approximately 40 to 55 months, depending on installation conditions and the household’s consumption profile.
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The installation of a small solar energy plant has become more accessible in recent years. Currently, an on-grid system of 2 kWp costs about R$ 7,240, considering the average price of R$ 3.62 per watt-peak (Wp) installed, according to the survey conducted by Greener.
This amount covers practically the entire structure necessary to safely put the system into operation.
Normally, the investment includes:
After installation, the property starts to generate its own electricity during the day, gradually reducing the electricity bill.
Contrary to what many people imagine, solar panels do not directly power the shower during bathing.
Photovoltaic energy produces electricity throughout the day and sends this surplus to the utility company’s power grid. All this generated energy turns into credits that can be used later to offset the consumption recorded at night or during times when there is no generation.
This model, known as the on-grid system, has become the most used in Brazilian homes precisely because of its practicality and lower cost when compared to battery systems.
In practice, the operation occurs in three stages:
Although the term solar shower is widely searched, it represents a different technology from that used in residential microgeneration.
The traditional solar shower heats water using thermal collectors and a specific reservoir. Meanwhile, photovoltaic energy transforms sunlight into electricity, allowing compensation not only for the consumption of the electric shower but also for other household appliances.
Both solutions help in energy savings, but they work in completely different ways and meet different needs.
The electric shower remains one of the most powerful household appliances.
In the scenario used as a reference, a model of 7,200 watts, used by a family in four daily showers of 15 minutes, consumes approximately 216 kWh per month.
This volume represents a significant portion of the electricity bill, especially in places where the electricity tariff is higher.
For this reason, there is growing interest in installing solar energy systems capable of exactly offsetting this consumption.
One of the biggest advantages of residential microgeneration is the reduction of monthly expenses.
According to the calculations presented in the study, a 2 kWp system can provide energy savings between R$ 130 and R$ 180 per month, depending on the region, solar incidence, and the household’s consumption profile.
In addition to the immediate financial reduction, the owner becomes less exposed to electricity tariff adjustments.
Among the factors influencing savings are:
The time required to recover the invested amount is considered one of the main attractions of photovoltaic energy.
With an average investment of R$ 7,240 and the monthly reduction in the energy bill, the estimated simple payback period varies between 40 and 55 months.
After this period, practically all the electricity produced by the panels represents direct savings for the family.
Another relevant point is the durability of the equipment. The solar modules have a lifespan of over 25 years, allowing the system to continue generating financial benefits for decades.
Attempting to power an electric shower of 7,200 W using an off-grid system requires much more robust equipment.
Inverters greater than 7.2 kW would be needed, along with large capacity battery banks, which would significantly increase the installation cost.
In the on-grid system, excess energy is sent to the power grid, eliminating the need for batteries and reducing both the initial investment and maintenance costs.
This feature makes the grid-connected model the most advantageous alternative for those seeking greater energy savings.
The performance of solar energy directly depends on the quality of the project.
Aspects such as module orientation, roof inclination, absence of shadows, and correct equipment choice make all the difference in electricity generation.
Periodic cleaning of the panels is also recommended to avoid losses caused by dust and dirt accumulation.
When sizing is correctly done by qualified professionals, the system maintains high performance throughout almost its entire useful life.
In addition to reducing the electricity bill, a photovoltaic energy system can increase the property’s attractiveness in the market and offer greater financial predictability to the owner.
Data presented by Greener shows that an initial investment of approximately R$ 7,240 can start to be recovered between 40 and 55 months, while the modules’ lifespan exceeds 25 years. During this period, a residence equipped with solar energy can accumulate significant savings, especially in light of successive electricity tariff adjustments.
Although many people look for solar showers, grid-connected photovoltaic systems offer a more comprehensive solution, as they offset the consumption of various household equipment through the generation of credits. For those who wish to reduce expenses and invest in a consolidated technology, this alternative combines low maintenance costs, good durability, and consistent energy savings over the years.
Hilton Fonseca Liborio is a writer with experience in digital content production and SEO skills. He specializes in creating optimized content for diverse audiences and platforms, aiming to combine quality, relevance, and results. His areas of expertise include the Automotive Industry, Technology, Careers, Renewable Energies, Mining, and other topics.
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