The Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued a warning against connecting rooftop solar power systems to the grid unless they are “self-produced and self-consumed.” Experts argue that this policy is not attractive enough to encourage investment, as people are not allowed to sell excess power or sell it for free, which is economically ineffective. The Electricity Regulatory Authority also believes that rooftop solar power should only be used for on-site consumption to avoid system imbalance and unnecessary costs.
Rooftop solar capacity currently accounts for over 9% of total capacity in the national electricity system, but its instability due to solar radiation dependency poses challenges for system balance. Storage solutions such as battery packs or backup power sources increase costs for both individuals and the electricity industry. Additionally, 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.
Despite government incentives to encourage renewable energy, investors of rooftop solar power sources may end up paying costs to ensure system operation while receiving stable power supply. Overall, rooftop solar power development brings concerns about system costs and the need for traditional power sources to meet renewable energy uncertainties.