Key findings from the report “Myanmar’s Rooftop Off-Grid Solar Market Assessment” published by the World Bank:

  • Solar is now the most cost-effective electrification option for a growing share of Myanmar’s energy demand. Monthly average diesel prices rose by nearly 900 percent in nominal terms, from MMK 682 per liter in January 2021 to MMK 6,057 per liter in April 2026, industrial grid tariffs increased by 80 percent in February 2026, and the cost of energy from large commercial and industrial (C&I) solar-plus-battery systems is at US$0.205 per kWh, now cheaper than the industrial grid tariff of US$0.250 per kWh.
  • The C&I segment is approaching commercial viability and is likely to continue growing largely on commercial terms. Approximately 110 to 170 new C&I projects are delivered every year, payback periods have shortened to one to three years, and at least seven commercial power purchase agreement (PPA) projects have been identified to date. The binding constraint on solar market growth is the absence of viable financing channels, not the absence of demand. Liquidity exists in Myanmar’s financial system but is not deployed in solar. Commercial banks mandate collateral requirements of 100 to 200 percent of loan value and lack technical frameworks to assess solar-specific risk.
  • Community facilities remain structurally excluded from the prevailing market. Among health facilities surveyed, 57 percent of rural health centers lack reliable electricity, and 83 percent of facilities without solar cite high up-front cost as the principal barrier to adoption.
  • Health facility electrification presents the strongest case for support among unserved segments. Health facilities deliver life-saving services directly undermined by unreliable supply. In addition, 98 percent of surveyed-facilities would endorse a solar installation, and 87 to 89 percent of hospitals and rural health centers express moderate to high interest in service-based delivery models.
  • The recommended delivery model for solarizing community facilities shifts from up-front capital subsidies toward an energy service delivery model. It combines donor and private sector roles to deliver reliable services rather than one-off equipment, with concessional support used to close affordability gaps for vulnerable users. The financing structure pairs milestone-based capital expenditure (CAPEX) subsidies with tariff-backed performance guarantees, and energy service company (ESCO) revenue is protected through a dedicated guarantee mechanism. Given the challenges of direct engagement, implementation can be routed through international partners already present.

Access the full report here