Solar PV (photovoltaic) system installation at residential premises by domestic users is a ‘quick win’ to allow for renewable energy generation (REG).
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, in a statement today (Mar 27), said considering its large potential, the installation of solar PV systems on residential premises is desirable to support the Government’s efforts to increase capacity in the electricity grid of to 70% by year 2050 and reduce carbon emissions by the electricity sector.
In line with this call, the Government will introduce specific incentives to encourage the installation of solar PV systems for domestic users, namely the Solar for Rakyat Incentive Scheme (SolaRIS).
Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition And Water Transformation (PETRA) Minister, said the launch of SolaRIS is expected to increase the adoption of solar generation among Malaysians under the Net Energy Metering Program (NEM) with the following provisions:
a) grant of rebate amounting to RM1,000/kWac up to a maximum RM4,000 to new NEM Rakyat users who submit NEM application to the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia on and after 1 April 2024;
b) this scheme is open to all Malaysian citizens with a limit one claim for each person who is a TNB account holder;
c) this scheme is open to first time NEM Programme applicants;
d) giving rebates is based on the principle of “first come first served” for the NEM Rakyat quota applied for from April 1 until 31 December 2024 and NEM Rakyat applications that have been obtained by March 31, 2025, or until all quotas are reached or SolaRIS rebates have been distributed, whichever comes first;
e) rebate payments will only be made after installation and operation of solar PV systems under the Rakyat’s NEM Program, and disbursed under the name of the bill holder and will be deposited into his or her local bank account, subject to the terms and conditions of the claim; and
f) the granting of this incentive will be handled by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and details of this programme can be found on the websites of TNB, SEDA Malaysia and the Energy Commission.
In order to expand the involvement of the people in the generation of new generated energy, the government has also agreed to approve an additional quota of 100 megawatt (MW) under the Rakyat’s NEM Program, increasing the total allocated quota to 350MW, Fadhilah added.
Quota application for the NEM Rakyat Program is open until 31 December 2024 or until all the allocated quotas have been distributed.
“With this resolution, PETRA is confident that SolaRIS can attract more domestic users to participate and enjoy the benefits of solar systems installation at residential premises, further contributing to energy transition aspirations as well as the country’s carbon neutral target ahead of 2050, he said.
