Why do people who install rooftop solar power for their own use have to register?

Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) has just released a report on the difficulties encountered in implementing the decrees and circulars detailing and guiding the Electricity Law.

This corporation proposes considering the addition of a regulation stating that if organizations or individuals install rooftop solar power systems for self-production and self-consumption without notification or registration, they will be subject to penalties according to the law on administrative sanctions in the electricity sector, depending on the nature and severity of the violation.

This proposal has met with much criticism. Many people argue that if they invest in installing rooftop solar power systems for their own household needs and do not sell electricity to EVN, then requiring registration is unreasonable.

According to them, such regulations could create additional administrative procedures, reducing the incentive to develop self-sufficient rooftop solar power – which is currently being encouraged and promoted.

In fact, the regulation requiring notification to the competent authorities for the installation of rooftop solar power systems for self-production and self-consumption without connection to the national power grid is already stipulated in Decree 58/2025 issued by the Government on March 3rd.

The Decree stipulates that organizations and individuals developing self-sufficient rooftop solar power sources that are not connected to the national power grid must comply with the provisions of Clause 1, Article 12 of this Decree.

Accordingly, organizations and individuals wishing to invest in the construction of power sources are obligated to notify the Department of Industry and Trade and the provincial electricity unit of the following information: Name of the organization or individual; type of power source, capacity scale; purpose, location, start date, and completion date. The Department of Industry and Trade is responsible for compiling and reporting this information to the Ministry of Industry and Trade .

Why do people who install rooftop solar panels for their own use have to register? - 1

Workers installing rooftop solar panels (Photo: VGP).

Investment in power generation must comply with legal regulations on investment, construction, environmental protection, fire prevention and control, and other relevant legal regulations.

In addition, Decree 58/2025 also clearly states the regulations on the construction and installation of rooftop solar power sources for self-production and self-consumption by households using individual houses.

Accordingly, organizations shall design and install power sources in accordance with the laws on construction, fire prevention and control, environmental protection, and the capacity notified to the relevant agencies and units, including the Department of Industry and Trade, the power company, and the local construction and fire prevention and control management agencies, for management, monitoring, and guidance in accordance with the law.

At the same time, people must purchase equipment in accordance with the regulations in the Decree and in compliance with applicable standards and regulations.

For households connected to the power grid, they should request guidance from the local electricity company on electrical installation and connection to ensure electrical safety during operation. The electricity company is responsible for providing guidance within 5 working days of receiving the request.

Decree 58 also requires provincial People's Committees to assign the Department of Industry and Trade to preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies and units to inspect compliance with regulations on safety, fire prevention and control, and environmental protection during the registration, development, installation, and operation of self-producing and self-consuming rooftop solar power sources.

Simultaneously, handle violations according to authority and legal regulations; compile and report on the development of self-produced and self-consumed electricity sources not connected to the national power grid as prescribed.

Organizations and individuals installing self-generating and self-consuming solar power systems must comply with the regulations in Decree 58/2025 and cooperate with the electricity company to ensure the safe operation of the national power grid. They must submit information to the Department of Industry and Trade after completing construction, installation, and commissioning the power source.

Although Decree 58/2025 mandates notification/registration, the penalties for non-compliance are unclear. Therefore, EVN proposes adding regulations on administrative penalties in the electricity sector for cases of installation without notification or registration.

The electricity authority argues that without specific regulations, it would be difficult to determine whether this constitutes a violation within the system of sub-legal documents, leading to confusion when applying the Law on Handling Administrative Violations and the Decree on Sanctions for Administrative Violations in the electricity sector.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/vi-sao-nguoi-dan-lap-dien-mat-troi-mai-nha-tu-dung-phai-dang-ky-20250913082105453.htm