Unlocking policy bottlenecks will allow rooftop solar power to thrive.

DNVN - Ho Chi Minh City has currently installed 22,355 rooftop solar power systems with a total capacity of approximately 1,832 MWp, but the potential for development remains very large, especially in residential, commercial, and industrial areas.

This information was presented at the workshop "Ensuring Energy for Ho Chi Minh City's Double-Digit Growth Target," organized by Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper in collaboration with EVNHCMC on May 5th, with the participation of many management agencies, experts, and businesses.

Electricity is fundamental to growth, but there are still many bottlenecks.

The consensus at the workshop was that electricity is no longer a supporting factor but has become a direct foundation of economic growth. With Ho Chi Minh City aiming for double-digit growth, electricity demand will increase rapidly in both scale and quality, requiring a sufficient, stable, and increasingly green supply.

Four major directions for power development in Ho Chi Minh City were emphasized: strongly developing rooftop solar power; promoting direct power purchase agreements (DPPA); strengthening regional linkages between power sources and grids; and developing stable base power sources, with LNG playing a crucial role in the energy transition phase.

However, in reality, the development of power sources in the city still faces many "bottlenecks," such as slow policy adjustments, power grid infrastructure not keeping pace with demand, and limited mobilization of social resources.

According to experts and businesses, the biggest obstacle today is not technology or cost, but the mechanism and effectiveness of financing.

The purchase price of surplus electricity from rooftop solar power is not attractive enough, resulting in a long payback period and reducing investment motivation. In fact, the installation rate in industrial zones is only about 20%, while in residential areas, this rate is even lower.

Some suggestions include increasing the rate of surplus electricity purchase, applying market-based electricity pricing, and implementing incentive policies such as green credit and tax reductions to boost the market.

Mr. Bui Quoc Hoan - Deputy General Director of Southern Power Corporation.

Furthermore, the integration of energy storage systems (BESS) is considered a key solution for optimizing efficiency, reducing dependence on the power grid, and enhancing energy self-sufficiency.

Representatives from the Southern Power Corporation argue that saving electricity is a more effective solution than investing in new power sources, as it is less costly but yields clear results.

Solutions need to be implemented synchronously from households to businesses, such as using energy-saving equipment, adjusting production hours, participating in load balancing programs, and conducting energy audits.

In particular, combining energy saving with the development of on-site power sources such as rooftop solar power not only helps reduce costs but also enhances competitiveness and ensures energy security.

A breakthrough in mechanisms is needed to develop rooftop solar power.

In its development strategy, Ho Chi Minh City is actively attracting high-tech industries, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and data centers – sectors with high electricity demand and very high power quality requirements.

According to experts, the power supply not only needs to be sufficient but also almost absolutely stable, because even a small incident can cause significant damage to businesses.

Therefore, developing clean energy, smart energy, and a modern power grid system is a prerequisite for attracting investment, especially in the context of increasingly mandatory green standards and zero-emission commitments.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngoc - Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City.

Representatives from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade stated that the city is developing mechanisms to support the development of rooftop solar power in a synchronized, efficient, and sustainable manner.

Key solutions include: diversifying investment sources, promoting green credit; accelerating digital transformation in energy management; developing a solar power potential map; and improving policies to support households and businesses in installing self-sufficient energy production systems.

Mr. Pham Binh An - Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies (HIDS).

Simultaneously, Ho Chi Minh City is also orienting towards the comprehensive development of energy sources such as LNG power, renewable energy, waste-to-energy, and energy storage systems, combined with strong investment in smart grids.

Ho Chi Minh City's electricity sector has developed electricity supply scenarios for 2026, aiming to meet a load growth rate of 5% to nearly 10%. The current system has a relatively safe reserve level, but further investment is still needed to keep up with demand.

Experts emphasize that to achieve double-digit growth, Ho Chi Minh City must take a step ahead in energy. This means not just having enough electricity, but also clean electricity, smart electricity, and a modern energy ecosystem.

If the barriers related to mechanisms, electricity prices, and infrastructure can be removed, rooftop solar power has the potential to enter a new growth cycle, becoming one of the key drivers for the city's sustainable economic development.

Bui Trung

Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/doanh-nghiep/mo-nut-that-chinh-sach-de-dien-mat-troi-mai-nha-but-pha/20260505043506881