By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 11: Homeowners may soon be able to earn money and reduce electricity bills by up to 42 per cent simply by leasing their rooftops for solar panel installations under the Solar Accelerated Transition Action Programme (Solar ATAP).
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof, who is also Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, said the programme, introduced just last month, allows private companies to rent rooftops within a 5km radius to generate clean electricity, while homeowners receive rental payments and enjoy lower energy costs.
“If this can be implemented for communities, it is expected to help reduce electricity bills by up to 42 per cent.
“This will allow the people to benefit by leasing their rooftops for solar installation, with the entire system to be managed by the private sector,” he said during a press conference held at a local hotel here today.
He informed that the programme is already being piloted in Elmina near Subang Airport in Peninsular Malaysia through a collaboration with Sime Darby.
He said the programme could also be adopted in Sarawak, particularly for longhouses and new township developments such as Bandar Baru Samariang (BBS), which have the space and community setup suitable for large-scale implementation.
“If solar panels are installed on longhouses, it will certainly help, although this requires a rather large area.
“In Peninsular Malaysia, there are many new housing projects or townships being developed, covering thousands of acres with residential, commercial and industrial areas, which is why they can implement such projects.
In Sarawak, if we are planning to develop new townships, this is a good concept to consider. For example, BBS can serve as a good model,” he elaborated.
Fadillah also explained that the Solar ATAP system will be managed by private operators, who will handle installation, maintenance and energy distribution.
“The company will rent the rooftops and pay the owners. The energy produced will be supplied to nearby industrial or business areas, and any excess can be sold to the national grid,” he said.
He said such arrangements ensure homeowners can participate easily without technical or maintenance responsibilities.
The Solar ATAP initiative forms part of the government’s National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), which targets 70 per cent renewable energy capacity by 2050, alongside major projects such as the upcoming Large Scale Solar 6 (LSS6) initiative that will add 2 gigawatts (GW) of capacity next year through RM6 billion in private investment. – DayakDaily
