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THE Government is set to launch a new rooftop solar initiative, the Solar Accelerated Transition Action Programme (Solar ATAP), aimed at strengthening the nation’s renewable energy efforts by making better use of building rooftops.
The move comes in the wake of the expiry of the Net Energy Metering (NEM) scheme at the end of June 2025.
The programme, announced by the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), will take effect on 1 December 2025. It is designed to sustain the momentum of solar energy adoption among residential, commercial, and industrial users.
Solar ATAP will build on the foundational principles of the NEM scheme but introduces improved features that are intended to make it more appealing than the existing Solar for Self-Consumption (SelCo) programme. Under the new scheme, users will be allowed to export excess electricity back to the grid, following the NEM offset model. However, the offset rate will now be based on the System Marginal Price (SMP), aligning with the approach used in the earlier NEM NOVA scheme. This market-based pricing mechanism is expected to ensure long-term viability.
Additionally, the installation of solar systems will be permitted up to 100 per cent of a building’s maximum demand, allowing users to optimise solar generation for self-use.
Detailed programme guidelines and the registration process will be made available through the websites of the Energy Commission and SEDA Malaysia beginning 1 December 2025.
PETRA said the initiative is expected to further drive the development of distributed generation within Malaysia’s electricity supply system and empower consumers with more clean energy options via rooftop solar.
“As the lead agency for the national energy transition agenda, PETRA is confident that the implementation of this new programme will support Malaysia’s aspiration to achieve 70 per cent renewable energy capacity in the national power mix by 2050,” the ministry said in a statement.
“This is in line with the MADANI Government’s core values and our responsibility to present and future generations.” - September 12, 2025
