The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and the Energy Commission will improve the implementation guidelines for the self-use solar energy plan (SelCo), which was launched in 2017.
The Ministry of Energy announced today (24th) in a press release that the improvements include allowing agricultural electricity users to install solar systems, effective from January 1st next year.
“In line with current policies and the government’s commitment to accelerating energy transition, and upon request, allowing installation of floating solar systems on the ground and water bodies, the Ministry has agreed to approve installation configurations beyond rooftop installations.”
“The Ministry believes that improving the SelCo plan’s implementation guidelines will provide power users, especially enterprise and industrial users, with broader green power supply channels to fulfill Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments, while supporting the national energy transition goal of achieving 70% renewable energy in total power supply capacity by 2050.”
The Ministry noted that the current guidelines for self-use photovoltaic solar system installations, previously issued by the Energy Commission, only allowed electricity users to install self-use solar systems on building rooftops, with a maximum installation capacity of 85% of maximum demand.
Furthermore, the initial intention of the plan was to utilize building rooftop space for power generation without acquiring new land, thus limiting solar system installations to building rooftops.
Considering the demand for green power supply when enterprises and industrial users fulfill ESG commitments, the improvements to the SelCo plan include expanding the installation range of solar systems, allowing for ground-mounted solar and floating solar systems within the user’s premises.
The improvement will also remove the previous capacity restriction for non-domestic users, which was limited to no more than 85% of maximum demand, to support efforts by enterprises and industries to reduce carbon footprints and fulfill ESG commitments.
The Ministry pointed out that the revised guidelines also require the installation of energy storage systems to ensure the stability of the overall power supply system; furthermore, the registration for participation in the plan will be centrally processed by the Energy Commission.
Details and guidelines of the improved SelCo plan can be downloaded from the Energy Commission’s official website at www.st.gov.my.