The draft Decree on the mechanism to encourage self-consumed rooftop solar power, proposed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, has been met with criticism from experts who believe that it is not attractive enough to encourage investment. According to these critics, the regulations do not allow individuals to sell excess power or sell it for free, which is economically ineffective.
The Electricity Regulatory Authority also takes a cautious stance on rooftop solar power and believes it should only be used for on-site consumption to avoid system imbalance and unnecessary costs. However, despite these concerns, rooftop solar capacity currently accounts for over 9% of total capacity in the national electricity system.
One of the challenges associated with rooftop solar power development is its instability due to solar radiation dependency. Storage solutions such as battery packs or backup power sources increase costs for both individuals and the electricity industry. This cost increase may discourage investment in rooftop solar power sources.
Another concern raised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade is that rooftop solar sources are scattered and small-scale, making data collection and system control difficult. Operating rooftop solar power may affect traditional power plants’ capacity, leading to increased operating costs and wasted resources. This may result in cutting renewable energy sources when traditional sources are minimized to balance the system.
Overall, while government incentives exist to encourage renewable energy development, investors in rooftop solar power may end up paying costs to ensure system operation while receiving stable power supply. Despite these challenges and costs associated with rooftop solar power development, there are still opportunities for innovation in this area that could bring significant benefits to society if properly addressed by policymakers and industry stakeholders alike.
