On October 22 , 2024, the Government issued Decree No. 135/2024/ND-CP stipulating mechanisms and policies to encourage the development of self-produced and self-consumed rooftop solar power. Thus, after nearly 4 years, Quang Ninh Power Company stopped receiving requests for connection and signing contracts to buy and sell electricity from rooftop solar power systems. Decree No. 135 /2024/ND-CP has removed many obstacles for the development of this green energy source.

In response to the nationwide electricity shortage, in 2019, the Ministry of Industry and Trade officially issued Circular No. 05/2019/TT-BCT on solar energy development. This brings many practical benefits, helping households reduce electricity bills, especially during the day when electricity consumption is high. Energy-intensive devices such as coolers and water pumps can operate on solar power, helping to save and reduce the load on the national power system. In addition to saving, rooftop solar power also helps households have additional income.

Realizing the benefits of rooftop solar power, in 2019-2020, many households, businesses, and agencies in the province installed rooftop solar power systems and were connected to the grid managed by Quang Ninh Electricity Company. Mr. Dao Quang Tuan (Zone 7, Cao Xanh Ward, Ha Long City) said: In February 2020, my family decided to install rooftop solar power. After many years of use, I see the efficiency of this energy source. With an investment cost of 170 million VND to install a rooftop solar power system with a capacity of 10.8kWp, my family has reduced 2/3 of the monthly electricity bill.

The attractive rooftop solar power purchase price has motivated many families and businesses to invest in this model. However, due to the regulations on electricity purchase prices in Decision No. 13/2020 (dated April 6, 2020) of the Prime Minister on the mechanism to encourage the development of solar power in Vietnam expiring on December 31, 2020, all rooftop solar power systems cannot generate excess solar power to the grid and cannot sell electricity to the Electricity industry. The main reason is that the state and management agencies are concerned about the insecurity of the power system, so they have temporarily stopped accepting requests to study safe and sustainable policies for rooftop solar power. In accordance with Decision No. 13/2020, Quang Ninh Electricity Company has stopped accepting requests for connection and signing contracts to buy and sell electricity from rooftop solar power systems developed after December 31, 2020. By the end of 2020, the entire Company had signed 304 rooftop solar power purchase contracts with a total capacity of over 3,676kWp. Of which, 2 customers had an installed capacity of over 100kWp; 302 customers had an installed capacity of less than 100kWp. The total electricity output purchased from rooftop solar power projects was nearly 1,800,000kWh, equivalent to nearly 3.6 billion VND.

According to the assessment of Vietnam Electricity Group, due to the increase in electricity demand of about 12-13%/year, by 2025 the whole country needs to increase its capacity by 2,200-2,500MW. One of the solutions to ensure sufficient electricity for 2025 that the Government prioritizes is to create conditions for people to develop rooftop solar power. On October 22, 2024, the Government issued Decree No. 135/2024/ND-CP with outstanding new points, helping organizations and individuals install and use self-produced and self-consumed solar power without requiring a power operation license in the following cases: Not connected to the national power system; capacity under 100kW; installation of anti-backflow equipment system into the national power system. At the same time, unlimited installed capacity is allowed under certain conditions. For households with an electricity system connected to the national grid, if the amount of electricity produced is not fully consumed, it can be sold back to the national grid, but not more than 20% of the actual installed capacity (capacity under kW).

The Government has introduced many preferential policies to support households in installing solar power systems, such as exempting equipment import tax and providing preferential loan packages, etc., helping to reduce initial costs and creating conditions for many people to access solar power systems. According to many experts, the new policies from Decree No. 135/2024/ND-CP contribute to promoting the development of solar power and creating a foundation for a future using green energy.

Implementing the Decree, on December 4, 2024, the Provincial People's Committee announced new administrative procedures issued in the electricity sector under the jurisdiction of the Department of Industry and Trade. These include specific regulations on applicable subjects, development principles, prohibited acts, registration activities for granting development certificates, procedures and documents for implementing rooftop solar power development.

Mr. Dao Duy Linh, Head of the Energy Management Department (Department of Industry and Trade) said: From December 4, 2024 to now, the Department has granted certificates of registration for the development of self-produced and self-consumed rooftop solar power to 3 enterprises in industrial parks that meet the conditions prescribed by law with a total capacity of nearly 50MW. According to the plan of investors in industrial parks, it is expected that by the end of 2025, the Department will grant certificates of registration for the development of self-produced and self-consumed rooftop solar power with a total capacity of about 25MW. This will contribute to creating favorable conditions for manufacturing enterprises in the province to export goods to the EU, ensuring compliance with the European Green Deal and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). In addition to granting certificates of registration for rooftop solar power development, the Department also coordinates with units and localities to promote propaganda and encourage individuals and households to install rooftop solar power. Thereby, contributing to increasing the proportion of renewable energy sources, clean energy, green energy in the province...