KUALA LUMPUR: State governments have been urged to emulate Pahang by incorporating solar panel installation costs into the purchase price of low-cost homes to help lower-income households adopt renewable energy.
Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the approach would allow residents to access solar power without having to bear the full upfront installation cost.
He said the Pahang state government had incorporated the cost of solar panel installation into the price of low-cost houses, with the additional amount covered through housing loans.
“For example, if a house costs RM150,000, an additional RM10,000 is included for the solar installation, bringing the total price to RM160,000.
“The loan would cover that amount, and residents would automatically have access to solar power.
“This is one of the measures taken by the Pahang state government for its low-cost housing projects to help lower-income groups,” he said during the question and answer session in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Oct 19).
He was responding to a question from Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin) on whether the ministry planned to provide targeted assistance to low-income households to replace energy-intensive appliances or install solar panels without incurring high upfront costs.
Abdul Rahman said the federal government was also providing assistance through the SuRIA Home Programme, which offers domestic consumers a rebate of RM600 for every kilowatt of solar installation, up to RM3,000.
Abdul Rahman added that the government also offered e-rebates of up to RM200 to households purchasing energy-efficient air conditioners and refrigerators with four or five-star ratings under the NUR Madani programme, aimed at encouraging consumers to switch to energy-efficient appliances and reduce their electricity bills.
Meanwhile, he said the ministry was aware that rising global fuel prices and prolonged hot weather had contributed to higher electricity bills for consumers.
Following this, he said the government announced an expansion of electricity bill protection to include exemptions from the Automatic Fuel Adjustment (AFA), Sales and Service Tax (SST) and retail charges for domestic consumers using up to 800 kilowatt-hours a month, equivalent to an estimated monthly bill of RM328 or less.
“The measure, which took effect in September, will remain in place until December and benefit about 90% or eight million domestic consumers in Peninsular Malaysia.
“Together with the Energy Commission (ST), the ministry has also taken preliminary steps to review proposed improvements to the existing AFA mechanism, including the introduction of a tiered AFA system, which is planned for implementation from 2027," he said.
