The Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Development Promotion Programme targets installation of 100,000 new rooftop solar systems nationwide by 2025. — Photo courtesy of EVN

HCM CITY — A programme on rooftop solar (RTS) photovoltaic development in Việt Nam, launched on July 25 in HCM City, aims to install 100,000 new RTS systems nationwide by 2025.

Speaking at the event, Phương Hoàng Kim, head of the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority (EREA) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), said the programme targeted solar power capacity of about 1,000 megawatt peak (MWp) by 2025.

Under MoIT’s decision issued on July 5, the programme will contribute to the national strategy on renewable energy through market development of RTS technologies.

“This programme encourages a variety of stakeholders to invest in RTS systems, and install them with quality assurance, operational safety and efficiency,” Kim said.

The programme includes five components: RTS-related legal support to prepare for market conditions; standards for inspection and tests; pilot period for financial support; a certification programme; and creation of a management information system and communication strategy.

The programme's activities are supported by international aid and ODA grant projects (USAID, GIZ, World Bank, EU, VEPG and others) as well as private funding and funding sourced from local budgets and other revenues, and are managed by MoIT.

EREA was assigned to lead and coordinate with relevant departments and agencies, establish a programme steering committee, and evaluate the progress of the programme.

The people's committees of provinces and cities will coordinate research, evaluate and identify potential areas for developing RTS, and offer a policy to encourage rooftop solar systems on administrative, commercial, service or office buildings.

They will also coordinate with MoIT and Việt NamElectricity (EVN) to develop management information systems for solar power and RTS systems.

EVN will implement activities to support RTS according to certain functions and mandates, and develop a management information system for solar power and RTS power nationwide.

EVN will also direct power agencies to connect the RTS system in a quick manner and comply with regulations and operational safety.

Michael Greene, mission director of USAID Việt Nam, said that, unlike utility-scale projects that need intensive investments in grid infrastructure, rooftop solar systems can be widely deployed without substantial upgrades to the distribution systems because the technology is effective at meeting local peak demand.

“By working together, especially leveraging resources from the private sector, we can make this programme a success.”

Việt Nam can quickly boost private sector investment to meet demand with the right incentive policies, he said.

To use this growing supply of clean power, he urged MoIT and EVN to consider a similar approach to achieving the needed upgrades to grid infrastructure.

Nguyễn Quốc Dũng, head of sales department at EVN, said that consistent regulations on solar power billing and business registration for organisations other than enterprises were needed.

MoIT should also develop a policy to promote RTS development soon, and the Government should encourage investors to participate and support customers in RTS installation, he said.

Suppliers, manufacturers and installers should work together to promote RTS and provide quality RTS equipment.

Sponsors, banks, investors and international and local organisations are all participating in solar power projects in Việt Nam. — VNS