Zero-cost rooftop solar power is encouraged for self-use, not for sale.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade said that the development of the above regulations is in accordance with the National Power Development Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050 (Power Plan 8) approved by the Prime Minister.

In which, the regulation clearly states: "Prioritize and encourage the development of wind power, self-produced and self-consumed solar power (including solar power on people's rooftops and construction roofs, solar power at production and business establishments, consumed on-site, not connected to or not selling electricity to the national grid".

Therefore, this draft provides regulations for two types of rooftop solar power development, including those connected and those not connected to the national power system. The zero-VND price policy only applies to excess "self-produced, self-consumed" rooftop solar power output sent to the national grid and is limited to a capacity of 2,600 MW.

In case of encouraging the development of self-produced and self-consumed rooftop solar power and allowing unlimited grid connection, the operation of the power grid of Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) will face many difficulties and the risk of insecurity of the national power system is very high.

This power source depends on solar radiation, but these are uncertain factors. When there is no solar radiation, the national grid still has to ensure adequate power supply. This leads to changes, rapid increases and decreases in the system, making the background power source unstable.

Meanwhile, the current reserve power ratio is still low and there is no solution for synchronous power storage on a national scale. Therefore, measures are needed to limit the ratio of grid-connected solar power to ensure stable operation of the power system and avoid "broken" planning.

In addition, Power Plan 8 also encourages the development of self-produced and self-consumed rooftop solar power sources, but is not allowed to sell electricity. The goal is to focus on using solar power to self-supply energy for households and businesses, promote energy savings and reduce electricity consumption from the national grid.

In the current conditions of the transmission and distribution system, balancing the source structure, the Ministry of Industry and Trade affirms that the solution to prevent reverse generation and the solution to buy at 0 VND in case of transmitting to the national grid is necessary and appropriate, both encouraging the type of rooftop solar power for self-production and self-consumption, and preventing the phenomenon of policy profiteering.

To encourage this type, the draft is built to provide incentive mechanisms, such as exemption from electricity operating licenses; construction works with self-produced and self-consumed rooftop solar power installations do not have to make adjustments or supplement energy land and functions according to the provisions of law; simple implementation procedures...