Malaysia Launches “Solar ATAP” to Supercharge Rooftop Solar Use

Malaysia Launches “Solar ATAP” to Supercharge Rooftop Solar Use

Starting December 1, Malaysia will introduce a bold new renewable energy programme called Solar ATAP (Solar Accelerated Transition Action Programme). The initiative aims to build on previous schemes and accelerate rooftop solar adoption across the country. 
 

What Is Solar ATAP?

Solar ATAP is designed as a successor to the Net Energy Metering (NEM) programme, which concluded on 30 June. Like NEM, Solar ATAP allows users who generate more solar electricity than they need to send the surplus back into the national grid,  receiving credit in return. But this new programme includes enhancements intended to make it more attractive and effective.

Key components include:

• Energy offset rate based on market electricity price: The excess energy sold back will be priced according to the system marginal price, similar to NEM NOVA. This adjustment is intended to ensure sustainability and fairness. 

• Installation limit up to 100% of maximum demand: Users will be allowed to install solar capacity up to their full demand, meaning they can aim to meet their entire electricity needs from rooftop solar (subject to feasibility).

• Guidelines & Registration: From December 1, programme guidelines and registration systems will be live on the Energy Commission and SEDA Malaysia websites, enabling building owners to apply and participate. 

Why This Matters

This move is significant for several reasons:

1. Increased User Flexibility & Incentives
   By allowing rooftop solar installations up to 100% of demand and improving the offset rates, the programme encourages more households, businesses, and institutions to invest in solar systems. More value will be returned to users who generate excess energy.

2. Boosting Distributed Generation
   Distributed generation, power produced at or near where it is used, decreases transmission losses, improves grid resilience, and helps balance regional energy demands. Solar ATAP is expected to ramp up distributed rooftop generation. 

3. Supporting Renewable Energy Targets
   The initiative aligns with Malaysia’s broader commitment: reaching 70% renewable energy capacity in the nation’s electricity supply by 2050. Solar ATAP is positioned as a key tool in the strategy to achieve this target. 

4. Optimising Rooftop Space
   For many large buildings (commercial, industrial, institutional), rooftops represent untapped potential. Solar ATAP offers an opportunity to turn that space into productive clean energy generators.
    

Potential Challenges & Considerations

While the programme is promising, there are some areas to watch:

• Upfront Investment Costs: Solar installations, especially ones large enough to meet full demand, require significant capital. Access to financing, incentives, or subsidies will likely be crucial for uptake.

• Technical Constraints: Roof condition, orientation, shading, available space, and structural load all affect how feasible rooftop solar installations are. Some users may find limitations prevent them from reaching the 100% demand threshold.

• Administrative & Grid Integration Issues: The success of the registration process, interconnection agreements, metering, and ensuring the grid can handle increased distributed input will all need smooth coordination.

• Awareness & Education: For many potential users, understanding solar potential, payback periods, maintenance needs, and regulatory compliance remains a challenge. Outreach will matter.
   

What to Do Next (for Building Owners & Stakeholders)

If you’re a building owner, manager, or stakeholder and want to prepare, here are some steps to consider:

• Assess your rooftop: size, structural strength, orientation, shading.

• Estimate your current electricity demand and how much of it you could realistically offset with solar.

• Monitor the Energy Commission and SEDA Malaysia websites for the December 1 release of guidelines and registration; get familiar with the requirements.

• Explore financing options, suppliers, installers. Compare costs vs savings.

• Consider engaging with stakeholders (tenants, community, management) early if you’re part of a multi-use building.

Conclusion

Solar ATAP represents a thoughtful evolution of Malaysia’s rooftop solar policy. By combining previous programmes’ strengths with enhancements, especially around flexibility, fairness, and allowing higher capacity installations, it has the potential to significantly increase solar deployment in the country. For those able to participate, it could be both environmentally and economically beneficial.

At Solar Sunyield Sdn. Bhd., we are thrilled and excited about the launch of the Solar ATAP programme. This initiative represents a game-changing opportunity to accelerate Malaysia’s clean energy transition and empower more homes and businesses to harness the sun.

With our expertise in designing, installing, and maintaining rooftop solar solutions, we look forward to helping building owners take full advantage of Solar ATAP. Whether you’re a homeowner aiming to reduce your electricity bills or a business ready to optimise your rooftop space, Solar Sunyield is ready to guide you through every step of the journey.

The sun is shining brighter than ever on Malaysia’s renewable energy future, and together, we can make it happen.