Over VND 42.8 billion paid to customers
By the end of September 2019, there were 15,914 customers nationwide installing rooftop solar power (RSP) with a total capacity of 259.7MWp, mainly in Ho Chi Minh city and Southern provinces. For these customers, the benefits are clearly realized: reducing their monthly electricity charge along with cooling their homes, thereby lowering the need for air-conditioning – one of the most power-consuming equipment. Especially, with the surplus power output, customers can sell it to the Power sector. So far, EVN’s subsidiaries have paid more than VND 42.8 billion to customers who sold their excess power to the Sector.
For such mentioned benefits, however, since July of 2019, the demand for installing RSP of customers has been on a downward trend. Particularly in Ho Chi Minh city, in August 2019, it decreased by 35% (for number of works) and 50% (for capacity) compared to June 2019. Mr. Luu Tien Dat – Deputy Director of Sao Bac Dau Company (providing services of solar power solutions) said that there had been many customers in Ho Chi Minh city and Southern provinces in need of installing of RSP. However, due to the fact that the price of solar power is likely to decrease sharply compared to the current one, customers still have kept their mindset on waiting for the Government’s decision on the new price. Mr. Dat hopes that the Government would promptly issue a new price range, creating peace of mind for people and enterprises.
Staff of HCMC Power Corporation introduces effectiveness of rooftop solar power works to customers.
EVN always actively supports
Currently, EVN and its subsidiaries have provided maximum support for customers installing RSP: Procedures for connecting and signing power purchase agreements have been implemented easily; Two-way metering equipment for used power and surplus output generated to the grid has been invested and installed for free of charge. For customers who install after 30 June 2019, the Power Companies still record monthly output generated to the grid, sign power purchase agreements and will make payments when the Government issues new prices.
It is known that at the end of September 2019, the Ministry of Industry and Trade summited a report to the Government on the Draft for mechanism to encourage RSP development in Vietnam. Accordingly, the Ministry proposed to the Prime Minister to consider and approve the Decision on incentive mechanism for RSP development under the one-price option to apply nationwide. In particular, the purchase rate has remained at 9.35cent (equivalent to VND 2,156/kWh) and this rate shall be maintained until the end of 2021 for RSP projects.
It can be affirmed that RSP is a model “bringing benefits to both Government and community, because it not only saves customer’s costs, but also contributes to reducing the load during peak hours; lowering tension on investment in transmission grids for the Power sector. This model contributes to raising and spreading awareness of using green energy and protecting the environment in the community.
However, in order to promote the stronger development of RSP in the coming time, according to experts, in addition to the early promulgation of a price policy, the Ministries and branches need to promulgate regulations soon, creating favourable conditions for customers in applying for construction permits, specifying the load on roof structures upon installation; promulgating national technical regulations on RSP systems, enabling people to select and use. In particular, it is necessary to come up with legal provisions for activities by the third party (ESCO) involving in installing RSP systems. Additionally, the Ministries, branches and localities should promptly put in place the compulsory requirements on the installation of RSP for administrative and public service delivery agencies, state budget beneficiary units, etc.