Under Decree No. 243/2026/ND-CP, rooftop solar power is defined as electricity generated by photovoltaic (PV) modules that convert solar radiation into electrical energy. The PV modules must be installed on the roofs of buildings or roof-like structures, connected to electrical equipment, and used for power generation.

One of the notable provisions of Decree No. 243/2026/ND-CP is the amendment to Article 14 of Decree No. 58/2025/ND-CP concerning the mechanism for trading surplus electricity generated by self-produced and self-consumed rooftop solar systems.

Accordingly, the following self-produced and self-consumed rooftop solar systems are eligible to sell surplus electricity:

-            Self-produced and self-consumed rooftop solar systems installed at detached residential houses;

-            Self-produced and self-consumed rooftop solar systems connected to the national power grid at the low-voltage level;

-            Self-produced and self-consumed rooftop solar systems installed in mountainous, border, or island areas where local electricity networks exist but are not interconnected with the national power grid;

-            Self-produced and self-consumed rooftop solar systems installed on public assets. The sale of surplus electricity from these systems must comply with this Decree, legislation governing the management and use of public assets, other relevant legal provisions, and the functions and responsibilities of the surplus electricity seller;

-            Other self-produced and self-consumed rooftop solar systems connected to the national power grid that fall within the capacity approved under the national power development plan, the implementation plan for the power development plan, or the provincial electricity network development plan.

The surplus electricity traded between the surplus electricity seller and purchaser includes surplus electricity generated directly from the rooftop solar system as well as electricity discharged from an energy storage system that has been charged by the rooftop solar installation (if applicable). The surplus electricity is measured at the output of the inverter and traded under the following provisions:

-            The volume of surplus electricity sold shall be agreed upon by both parties but must not exceed 50% of the electricity generated at the inverter output under available solar irradiance. (Under the previous provisions of Decree No. 58/2025/ND-CP, this limit was 20%.)

-            From the effective date of this Decree until 31 December 2030, the parties may agree to trade surplus electricity exceeding the 50% of the electricity generated at the output of the rooftop solar power system under the prevailing solar irradiance, provided that the grid at the interconnection point has adequate hosting capacity and that the trading of surplus electricity satisfies the requirements for secure grid operation and is carried out in accordance with the prescribed power system operating procedures;

-            For mountainous, border, and island areas that are not yet supplied by the national power grid, there is no limitation on the amount of surplus electricity that may be sold. Payment shall be made for the total electricity delivered to the purchaser's network as measured by the electricity meter. Once these areas are connected to the national power grid, the sale of surplus electricity shall be subject to the provisions specified above, depending on the applicable implementation period.

Further details are available in Decree No. 243/2026/ND-CP.

Translator: Thu Hường