Investments

New Proposal by the Ministry of Industry and Trade: Mandatory Notification for Self-Consumption Rooftop Solar Installations

The Ministry of Industry and Trade proposes that households installing rooftop solar systems for self-generation and self-consumption, without connecting to the national grid, must submit a notification to the local commune-level People’s Committee.

Administrator

22 October, 2025

The Ministry of Industry and Trade is seeking public input on a draft decree amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 57/2025, which outlines the mechanism for direct electricity trading between renewable energy generators and large electricity consumers. Additionally, the draft addresses Decree No. 58/2025, which details the implementation of the Electricity Law concerning the development of renewable and new energy sources.

Many households are installing rooftop solar systems to reduce monthly electricity costs.

A key highlight is the Ministry’s proposal to revise regulations on reporting the development of power sources.

Rooftop Solar Installations for Self-Use Must Be Reported to Commune-Level People’s Committees

Specifically, organizations and individuals installing rooftop solar systems for self-production and consumption, without connecting to the national grid, are required to notify the Commune-Level People’s Committee where the installation is located. The notification must include: the name of the organization or individual, system capacity, installation location, start date, and completion date.

The Commune-Level People’s Committee is responsible for receiving and forwarding the notification to the local power company for coordination, monitoring, and guidance in accordance with the law. If surplus electricity is sold, the committee must send the notification to the Department of Industry and Trade within five working days for regulatory management.

Organizations and individuals installing rooftop solar systems with a capacity of less than 0.1 kW (based on the inverter’s rated capacity) are exempt from this requirement.

The Ministry also proposes that organizations and individuals installing rooftop solar systems for self-production and consumption, connected to the national grid at medium voltage or higher, and not selling surplus electricity, must notify the Department of Industry and Trade.

The Department of Industry and Trade is responsible for forwarding the notification to relevant state management agencies and local units for regulatory management, monitoring, and guidance.

Previously, there was debate among rooftop solar installers regarding the proposal that off-grid solar systems must be registered or reported to Vietnam Electricity (EVN).

This debate arose from a report by EVN to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, highlighting challenges in implementing the Electricity Law. EVN suggested that organizations and individuals developing rooftop solar systems for self-use, without registration or notification, should face administrative penalties under electricity regulations, depending on the severity of the violation.

Currently, Decree No. 58/2025 stipulates that individuals and businesses installing rooftop solar systems, whether grid-connected or not, with a capacity below 100 kW, need only notify the Department of Industry and Trade and the local power company (providing details such as capacity, installation location, and intended use). After confirmation from the managing authority, households can independently manage their electricity supply.

For larger systems with capacities between 100 kW and 1,000 kW, whether grid-connected or not, households and businesses must submit connection details and documentation to the Department of Industry and Trade and the local power company to prevent local grid overloads.

Lê Thúy

– 11:05 22/10/2025