Power of the sun: The programme is expected to provide a viable choice for consumers to use rooftops for renewable energy. — The Star/ NG KOK LEONG
PUTRAJAYA: The Solar Accelerated Transition Action Programme (Solar Atap) will be implemented from Jan 1 to harness the potential of rooftops for electricity generation using solar photovoltaic (PV) technology.
In a statement yesterday, the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (Petra) confirmed that the programme aligns with its earlier announcement on Sept 12, and is the successor to the Nett Energy Metering (NEM) scheme that ended on June 30.
“As the regulator of the electricity supply industry, the Energy Commission has prepared the Solar Atap guidelines, accessible on its website from Dec 31.
“Applications can be submitted starting Jan 1, 2026, via the Sustainable Energy Development Authority’s website,” said the ministry.
Petra added that the final programme incorporates several improvements based on stakeholder feedback.
Notably, Solar Atap will not have a fixed quota at launch, though the government retains the right to impose a cap should unbridled integration of solar PV into the national supply grid threaten to destabilise the grid.
The risk of destabilising the grid comes from the inherent intermittency of solar PV output due to passing clouds or rain, leading to voltage or frequency fluctuations, especially during periods of high PV production against a backdrop of either very high or very low demand.
Furthermore, the programme retains a core principle of NEM by allowing surplus solar energy to be fed into the grid for energy credit, with specific adjustments to make it more attractive than the existing Solar for Self-Consumption (SelCo) scheme.
In its statement, Petra said it has set the energy credit rates based on electricity market prices, with non-domestic consumers receiving the system marginal price, and domestic consumers receiving their prevailing energy charge.
“The solar system installation limit is set at 100% of maximum demand, allowing consumers to fully optimise their solar installation for self-use. For domestic users, homes with single-phase supply are permitted to install systems with a capacity of up to 5kW, while the capacity for three-phase homes has been raised from 12.5kW to 15kW,” the statement read.
The Solar Atap programme is expected to provide a viable choice for consumers to use building rooftops for renewable energy, while also significantly accelerating support for national carbon reduction goals.
Petra is also confident the move will serve as a long-term catalyst for strengthening the national energy landscape and supporting aspiration to achieve 70% renewable energy capacity by 2050.
Petra also announced the appointment of Datuk Seri Asri Hamidin as chair of the Energy Commission for one year effective Jan 1.
Asri, 59, is a Masters of Economics graduate from Japan’s Hiroshima University, other than holding a Masters of Economics from Universiti Malaya.
He has served in the public service for 31 years, starting as assistant director of the Economic Planning Unit under the Prime Minister’s Department.
